The cross-border SELKIE project aimed at boosting the marine energy industry in Wales and Ireland has revealed that Ocean Energy is the wave energy company following a tender for a pilot demonstration project.
Ocean Energy has followed a careful technology development route, resulting in a robust and practical design device with one part moving out of the sea-water. Early TRLs were covered through tank tests in Cork and Nantes. The progression up the TRL levels resulted in more than 3 years of successful live sea testing at the Galway Bay Test Site resulting in proven device survivability.
Recently, Ocean Energy has completed the production of the 500kW OE35 system for deployment at the US Navy Test Site in Oahu, Hawaii. This device was delivered to Hawaii, and will be deployed for 12 months at the test site.
SELKIE brings together top researchers and companies to enhance the efficiency of marine energy tools and technologies.
The project is led by University College Cork in collaboration with the University of Swansea, Marine Energy Wales, Menter Môn, DP Energy Ireland and Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions.
The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme.
By building a cross-border network of developers and supply chain companies in Ireland and Wales, the project is creating a simplified marketing mechanism for the marine energy industry. Multi-use development tools, templates, standards, and models are being developed in Wales and Ireland for use in the industry.
SELKIE will use two pilot demonstration systems, one wave and one tidal to test and validate the technology tools. The pilot testing will use a structured development path to advance the knowledge and enhancement of marine energy devices in terms of their reliability, survivability, operability, stability and commercial viability.
“The Selkie Project is confident that Ocean Energy company participation, as lead wave energy pilot in the Selkie project, will significantly benefit Ocean Energy company in its road to commercialization. Selkie will tailor its suite of tools to the wave energy sector needs and requirements, worth up to €4 million in EC contribution.”
Gordon Dalton, Selkie Project coordinator.
“Ocean Energy is delighted to be part of the Selkie project and actively collaborating with the industry’s leading research institutes and commercial partners. The participation of industry in this project will help to deliver a smoother commercialization pathway by combining expertise, and critically, operational experience to validate the tools produced within the project. Being Welsh, I am particularly delighted that we are part of this unique collaboration between Wales and Ireland – both of whom have significant marine energy resources.”
Tony Lewis, chief technology officer of OceanEnergy.
