WES launches GBP 7 mln power take-off systems R&D call

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has launched its first GBP 7 mln international technology innovation competition.

WES has issued a competitive project call for innovative power take-off (PTO) systems.

Applications are invited from innovative technology developers who require investment to advance their technology through rigorous testing and, in time, towards commercialization.

Successful applicants will be eligible for contracts that cover up to 100 percent of the cost of their technology development project, and contracts will range from between GBP 100.000 and GBP 4 mln, depending on the maturity of the technology.

This competition will award technology development contracts for projects that will:

• Provide a step change in the capital cost and/or efficiency/performance over current technology,
• Deliver a highly reliable PTO via high quality engineering and technology risk management,
• Fit into the overall cost of energy
• Deliver a PTO that can be easily integrated into different wave energy converters (WECs) and WEC device families,
• Develop a PTO that could stimulate a new form of Wave Energy convertor being developed.

The PTO system competitive call is the first of five calls to be run over the next year, with support from the Carbon Trust, the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and the University of Edinburgh.

Wave Energy Scotland’s objective is to put wave energy technology developed in Scotland on the path towards a reliable, commercial product that generates electricity at no more than GBP 150/MWh.

Deadline for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is set for May 22, 2015.

Although the contract notice has been issued by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), HIE may enter into contracts, through its wholly owned subsidiary company – Wave Energy Scotland Ltd (WES).

Image: EMEC/Illustration