Bombora awards contracts for mWave demonstrator

Bombora Wave Power Europe has hired key suppliers for the delivery of the company’s mWave wave energy device.

mWave device (Image: Bombora Wave Power)

The European subsidiary of Australian-based Bombora awarded contracts for the design of the main structure for the mWave energy device, and for the delivery of an air turbine which forms the Bombora wave energy system.

Scottish engineering firm Apollo Offshore Engineering has been engaged for the mWave main structure design, which is said to be the key structural element of the demonstrator.

The primary function of the main 75-meter long structure is to secure the key assemblies and modules in a level position on the seabed, according to Welsh government’s procurement portal Sell2Wales.

The 1.5MW peak unidirectional air turbine for the mWave device demonstrator will be supplied by Portugal-based Kymaner Tecnologias Energeticas.

The company will also deliver associated duct work including output shaft with dynamic seal suitable for 12 months subsea deployment, according to Sell2Wales contract award notice.

The mWave device features a series of air-inflated rubber membranes mounted to a concrete structure on the sea floor.

As waves pass over the mWave, the air inside the membranes is squeezed into a duct and through a turbine. The turbine spins a generator to produce electricity. The air is then recycled to re-inflate the membranes to prepare them for the next wave.

To remind, Bombora Wave Power Europe was recently awarded £10.3 million of EU funding for the design and testing of its mWave device.