Subsea Power Hub takes innovation prize home

East Coast Oil and Gas Engineering (EC-OG) has won an award for its Subsea Power Hub at the Scottish Environment Business Awards.

The Scottish Environment Business Awards, also known as VIBES, reward companies who are at the forefront of eco-innovation, with the aim of establishing a stronger and more innovative economy in Scotland by promoting more environmentally-focused outlook.

Aberdeen-based EC-OG won in the Innovation category that recognizes businesses that have developed innovative technologies which bring about positive effects on the environment and Scottish business.

The award was bestowed to the company for its Subsea Power Hub, a hybrid-based ocean current energy conversion system with integrated energy storage.

The system harnesses the energy within ocean currents to convert, store and deliver electricity on demand.

Heather Sharkey, Commercial Director at EC-OG, said: “It was a pleasure to accept the award yesterday on behalf of EC-OG and a real honor for the team to be acknowledged for creating this new technology. The award highlights the environmental credentials of the system as well as the impact that we are having on the Scottish business environment.”

EC-OG was competing against four other Scottish companies in the Innovation category, with a record number of entries into all categories at this year’s awards, the company said.

The VIBES awards are a partnership between Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highland & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland and the 20:20 Climate Group.

To remind, prototype Subsea Power Hub system is being tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).