Severn Subsea Technologies (SST) has made significant headway, since being awarded a contract to design elements of the control and electrical systems for WaveSub, a next generation wave energy converter from Marine Power Systems (MPS).
WaveSub has been developed by Swansea-based MPS to address inherent challenges associated with extracting wave energy. Part-funded by a £2.1m investment from the European Regional Development Fund via the Welsh Government; the next stage involves building a quarter scale prototype for testing at FaBTest, a nursery site for marine renewable energy devices, in Falmouth.
SST has been selected to support the initiative based on its proven track record in the design and build of high reliability systems for harsh environments. Previous projects include the design and supply of the control system for Seatricity Oceanus 2, the first wave energy device to be deployed on the Cornish WaveHub site. Sister company Severn Glocon has manufactured valves for wave energy converters including Aquamarine Power’s Oyster and Carnegie Wave Energy’s CETO device.
“The specialist engineering skills at SST, and across the Severn Glocon Group, make us an ideal partner for this project,” explains Tim Blake, Site Manager at Severn Subsea Technologies. “We have a lot of experience developing innovative solutions for demanding subsea and marine renewable energy applications. The team is energised at the prospect of being involved with the pioneering WaveSub project.”
Dr Gareth Stockman, co-founder and managing director of Marine Power Systems, said:
“We are very pleased to award this contract to SST due to their proven track record with control systems in the application of marine renewables. MPS has worked with SST on numerous previous projects; we have every confidence in the highly specialist team to deliver our requirements for the quarter scale prototype, ahead of deployment at sea.”
Original article by Renews and Tidal Energy Today.