WAVE ENERGY FIRM ENLISTS SEDIMENT SAMPLING COMPANY AHEAD OF DEVICE DEPLOYMENT
Marine Power Systems (MPS), a Swansea-based company that is developing revolutionary technology designed to harness wave energy, has enlisted the services of quality testing and material consultancy, ACS Testing Ltd, to provide the testing of sediment samples from the deployment site, to inform the final anchoring specification for the WaveSub.
MPS is developing the unique WaveSub device, which is due for deployment in 2016. The WaveSub aims to provide a reliable renewable energy source through harnessing the energy from ocean waves. The technology being developed at MPS has huge potential to contribute to energy security targets across the EU (and globally) and will reduce reliance on unpredictable and non-renewable energy supplies.
The project has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, with MPS receiving a £2 million grant in October 2015.
As part of the development process, ACS Testing Ltd has been brought on board to provide a comprehensive range of physical properties testing in accordance with British and European standards. Testing and analysis of seabed sediment has been carried out by the company in order for MPS to gain a full understanding of the site where the anchors of the WaveSub device will be placed.
Dr Gareth Stockman, managing director of Marine Power Systems, said:
We are reaching some exciting milestones in the development of our technology, specifically the deployment of a quarter-scale prototype WaveSub device in 2016. We are currently at the stage where we need to rigorously assess the seabed surface to finalise the anchor specification to be used at the test site. We felt working with ACS Testing Ltd was the best option for this, due to the company’s reputable expertise in this area.
Mark Williams, commercial manager at ACS Testing Ltd, said:
The device that Marine Power Systems is developing is incredibly innovative and we are pleased to provide our services to aid the development process. Our permanent laboratories provide a comprehensive range of tests, which have been used for Marine Power Systems at FaBTest, where the device is planned to be deployed. With such robust testing, we can provide the company with a report that outlines the conditions of the seabed, which will help give foresight for the next stage of the planning process.
Original Article by Business News Wales, RENEWS, WalesOnline, TidalEnergyToday and SUBSEA World News.