CorPower deploys half-scale C3 wave energy converter off Orkney (Photo)

CorPower Ocean has installed the half-scale C3 Wave Energy Converter (WEC) at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland, and connected the device to a floating Microgrid unit provided by EMEC.

CorPower C3 at EMEC Scapa Flow site; Image: Colin Keldie

 
The ocean deployment aims to prove off-grid operations in an environment addressing market segments such as islands, offshore installations or remote coastal locations around the world, following C3’s operation in a grid-connected configuration during a dry testing campaign in Stockholm.

The microgrid has been designed to allow the C3 device to behave as if it were grid connected by providing a stable voltage and frequency reference, simulating the impedance of a typical grid connection, absorbing power from the device under test and providing power to auxiliary systems.

The C3 point absorber was installed at EMEC’s Scapa Flow scale test site in collaboration with local marine contractor Green Marine (UK). The device was towed to site and the surface operated install sequence was successfully performed from the Green Isle multicat vessel.

CorPower C3 lifted by Green Isle multicat vessel; Image: Colin Keldie/ CorPower

 
Patrik Möller, CEO at CorPower Ocean, said: “We are very pleased to have the C3 WEC installed at EMEC, marking a major milestone in our effort of providing reliable and competitive electricity generation from ocean waves.”

The product development of the C3 device follows the structured five-stage verification process of Wave Energy Scotland (WES) and ETIP Ocean involving step-wise validation of survivability, performance, reliability and economics. The Stage 3 demonstration is funded by WES, the Swedish Energy Agency and InnoEnergy, with the testing at EMEC also supported by Interreg NWE FORESEA project.

The Stage 3 program demonstration is supported by best practice from EMEC in Orkney, alongside the experience from offshore power generation company Iberdrola Engineering and EDP, the University of Edinburgh and WavEC Offshore Renewables’ expertise in cost and performance modelling.

CorPower C3 deployed; Image: CorPower

 
“This demonstration program shows how our resonant WEC technology can significantly reduce both CAPEX and OPEX of wave energy. The compact lightweight design enables effective handling using low cost vessels, reducing operational costs. We are happy to announce a collaborative agreement with Green Marine where our teams will continue to work closely together to further improve our operations during the coming months of deployment,” Möller said.