Gazer’s Digest: A novel tech is to reduce wave energy costs

A NOVEL TECH IS TO REDUCE WAVE ENERGY COSTS

February 09, 2025

CorPower Ocean and OPS Solutions have created a novel pre-tension cylinder (PTC) prototype, forming the basis of a breakthrough design for a critical wave energy component.

The COMPACT (COMposite Pressure cAsing for CosT- and energy-effective wave power generation) Project involved developing, testing, manufacturing, and certifying an innovative light-weight pressure casing (cylinder), which is a key component of CorPower Ocean’s Wave Energy Converter (WEC) system. By making the WEC significantly lighter using cost-effective materials and production technology, the COMPACT solution aims to increase energy efficiency while decreasing the cost of energy. The COMPACT Project has actively contributed to the Portuguese Industrial Strategy for Ocean Renewable Energies.

CorPower Ocean Senior Technical Project Manager and COMPACT Project Lead Mr. Ross Harnden says:

“With small modifications to the composite layup it is expected that it will be possible to reach the 900 bar required to obtain PED certification of the design, which is required for type certification. The results from the COMPACT project will now be fed into future design iterations of the CorPower Ocean WEC and contribute to bringing viable wave energy to market.”

OPS Solutions has capabilities in designing and building composite solutions. According to OPS Solutions, a composite material is a combination of two materials with different physical and chemical properties. When they are combined, they create a material with superior properties, like: stronger, lighter, corrosion resistant, and with a long lifetime.

Gazer's Digest

A NOVEL TECH IS TO REDUCE WAVE ENERGY COSTS