The wave energy developer Aquamarine Power has secured over £3 million in funding from the Scottish government to support the development of its next-generation Oyster wave energy device.
The company received the grant from the Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support (WATERS) fund, run and administered by Scottish Enterprise on behalf of a collaborative venture involving Scottish Enterprise, Scottish government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
The funding will support the further development of the 2.4MW Oyster demonstration project in Scotland.
Phased installation of the project will begin at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney in summer 2011.
Martin McAdam, CEO of Aquamarine Power said: “The marine energy industry has the potential to provide huge economic benefit to Scotland and Scottish businesses, with the creation of skilled jobs, a global export market and a secure and clean domestic energy supply. At this early stage of the industry, funding initiatives like the WATERS scheme are vital to help deliver this for Scotland.”
Aquamarine Power’s Oyster is already the world’s largest working hydroelectric wave energy device .
The original test unit was installed just off shore, in Orkney, comprising a large buoyant steel flap hinged to a base that sits on the sea bed. As waves roll over the device, the flap drives two hydraulic pistons attached to each side.
High pressure water from these two pumping cylinders is pumped ashore, driving a Pelton wheel with spoon-shaped buckets that then harvest the energy via a flywheel connected to an induction generator.
