Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GreenH2Wave (Producing Green Hydrogen Using Power of Ocean Waves)
Reporting period: 2023-08-01 to 2024-07-31
The GREENH2WAVE project focuses on advancing a novel Wave Energy Converter (WEC) for offshore green hydrogen production. This technology will generate electricity from ocean waves to produce green hydrogen, which is expected to support rising demand for powering next-generation ships. As marine transport contributes 3% of global carbon emissions, offshore green hydrogen presents a sustainable solution to reduce its environmental impact.
However, traditional WECs face challenges such as high energy production costs and limited viability in harsh marine conditions, which restrict their commercialization, including their applications in producing offshore green hydrogen. The GREENH2WAVE project addresses these issues by advancing a novel WEC technology capable of efficiently harvesting wave energy and converting it into renewable energy. The core objective of the project is to raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the Floating Dual Chamber Oscillating Water Column (FOWC) device from TRL 3 to TRL 4. In this project, the design of the FOWC device has been optimised, laboratory tests were conducted, and the new design of the enhanced system has been registered for Intellectual Property (IP) protection. These advancements are expected to contribute significantly to making the FOWC device a commercially viable solution, thereby playing a crucial role in the future decarbonization of marine transportation.
In addition, the project also enhanced the CEO's coordination and marketing skills through the Women TechEU Programme, providing coaching, training, and networking for female tech leaders.
However, traditional WECs face challenges such as high energy production costs and limited viability in harsh marine conditions, which restrict their commercialization, including their applications in producing offshore green hydrogen. The GREENH2WAVE project addresses these issues by advancing a novel WEC technology capable of efficiently harvesting wave energy and converting it into renewable energy. The core objective of the project is to raise the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the Floating Dual Chamber Oscillating Water Column (FOWC) device from TRL 3 to TRL 4. In this project, the design of the FOWC device has been optimised, laboratory tests were conducted, and the new design of the enhanced system has been registered for Intellectual Property (IP) protection. These advancements are expected to contribute significantly to making the FOWC device a commercially viable solution, thereby playing a crucial role in the future decarbonization of marine transportation.
In addition, the project also enhanced the CEO's coordination and marketing skills through the Women TechEU Programme, providing coaching, training, and networking for female tech leaders.
In the initial phase, the project focused on optimizing the geometrical design of the FOWC device through numerical analysis. Based on the optimization findings, an enhanced design was developed, followed by the construction of a 1:70 scale model prototype.
In the project's second phase, the prototype model was tested in a wave flume under both regular and random wave conditions.
In addition to the substantial technical achievements, the project has filed for Intellectual Property (IP) protection to secure the innovative aspects of the optimized FOWC device in the third phase of the project.
The CEO and her team also participated in mentoring sessions, which led to significant improvements in key areas essential for the company’s growth, including (1) Value Proposition, (2) Validation of Marketable Offer, (3) Partnerships, and (4) Finding Investors.
- Outcomes of the Project
• Advancement to TRL 4: The FOWC device has successfully matured from TRL 3 to TRL 4, meeting the project’s main goal and verifying its feasibility for real-world ocean energy applications.
• Patent Protection: A European Patent Office (EPO) application was submitted, securing the Intellectual Property of the optimized FOWC technology. This IP protection is a critical outcome, ensuring the safeguarding and commercialization of the innovative aspects of the project.
• Mentorship Outcomes: The mentoring program resulted in enhanced leadership and business management skills for the CEO and her team, ensuring that the company is better positioned for future growth and investment opportunities.
• Public Awareness of Our Innovative Technology: Through dissemination activities, the project has raised public awareness of wave energy technology.
In the project's second phase, the prototype model was tested in a wave flume under both regular and random wave conditions.
In addition to the substantial technical achievements, the project has filed for Intellectual Property (IP) protection to secure the innovative aspects of the optimized FOWC device in the third phase of the project.
The CEO and her team also participated in mentoring sessions, which led to significant improvements in key areas essential for the company’s growth, including (1) Value Proposition, (2) Validation of Marketable Offer, (3) Partnerships, and (4) Finding Investors.
- Outcomes of the Project
• Advancement to TRL 4: The FOWC device has successfully matured from TRL 3 to TRL 4, meeting the project’s main goal and verifying its feasibility for real-world ocean energy applications.
• Patent Protection: A European Patent Office (EPO) application was submitted, securing the Intellectual Property of the optimized FOWC technology. This IP protection is a critical outcome, ensuring the safeguarding and commercialization of the innovative aspects of the project.
• Mentorship Outcomes: The mentoring program resulted in enhanced leadership and business management skills for the CEO and her team, ensuring that the company is better positioned for future growth and investment opportunities.
• Public Awareness of Our Innovative Technology: Through dissemination activities, the project has raised public awareness of wave energy technology.
The GREENH2WAVE project has made significant strides in advancing WEC technology beyond the current state of the art. One of the most remarkable advancements is the FOWC device's high efficiency in both regular and random wave conditions, with peak efficiencies reaching 93% and 81%, respectively. These results surpass the performance levels of other WEC technologies, marking a breakthrough in wave energy conversion efficiency. By achieving such high performance, the FOWC device has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of energy production from ocean waves.
Additionally, laboratory tests verified the reliability of the FOWC device in surviving harsh ocean conditions, a key challenge that has led to the failure of several previous WEC concepts and remains a barrier to commercial development of WECs.
- Potential Impacts of the Project
• Long-term Impact: The GREENH2WAVE project holds the promise of creating a paradigm shift in marine energy applications, particularly through the integration of wave energy with offshore green hydrogen production. The FOWC device generates clean electricity from waves, enabling hydrogen production and storage at sea, advancing sustainable marine fuel solutions.
• Impact on Company Growth: The project has significantly boosted the company’s growth by addressing two key barriers: the low TRL of its product and the lack of robust IP. Advancing the technology to TRL 4 and securing IP protection through a patent application overcame these hurdles. Mentoring programme also improved the business plan, management strategy, and CEO's leadership, setting a clear path for future growth.
- Key Requirements for Further Uptake and Success
• Further R&D: Though the FOWC device has reached TRL 4, additional R&D is needed for full-scale deployment and to address challenges in various ocean conditions, ultimately reaching TRL 9.
• Demonstration & Market Validation: Offshore pilot projects and collaborations with key stakeholders, like maritime operators, are essential for proving the technology’s capabilities and building market trust.
• Access to Finance: Securing funding through bodies like the EIB and applying for EU grants, such as the Innovation Fund, will be critical for scaling the system.
• Regulatory Support: Engaging policymakers to align the technology with maritime energy standards and environmental regulations is key to market entry.
- Overview of the Results
Key technical and scientific outcomes of the GREENH2WAVE project include:
• Advancement of FOWC technology from TRL 3 to TRL 4 (project main objective).
• Completed wave tank tests of the 1:70 scale prototype, confirming its dynamic stability and high efficiency in various ocean conditions.
• Peak energy conversion efficiency of 93% in regular waves and 81% in random waves, outperforming traditional WECs.
• Paper submitted to Ocean Engineering showcasing scientific achievements.
• Patent application submitted to the EPO for FOWC design idea protection.
• CEO's leadership and business skills improved through Women TechEU mentoring.
• Public outreach through social media and the company's website to promote clean energy solutions.
Additionally, laboratory tests verified the reliability of the FOWC device in surviving harsh ocean conditions, a key challenge that has led to the failure of several previous WEC concepts and remains a barrier to commercial development of WECs.
- Potential Impacts of the Project
• Long-term Impact: The GREENH2WAVE project holds the promise of creating a paradigm shift in marine energy applications, particularly through the integration of wave energy with offshore green hydrogen production. The FOWC device generates clean electricity from waves, enabling hydrogen production and storage at sea, advancing sustainable marine fuel solutions.
• Impact on Company Growth: The project has significantly boosted the company’s growth by addressing two key barriers: the low TRL of its product and the lack of robust IP. Advancing the technology to TRL 4 and securing IP protection through a patent application overcame these hurdles. Mentoring programme also improved the business plan, management strategy, and CEO's leadership, setting a clear path for future growth.
- Key Requirements for Further Uptake and Success
• Further R&D: Though the FOWC device has reached TRL 4, additional R&D is needed for full-scale deployment and to address challenges in various ocean conditions, ultimately reaching TRL 9.
• Demonstration & Market Validation: Offshore pilot projects and collaborations with key stakeholders, like maritime operators, are essential for proving the technology’s capabilities and building market trust.
• Access to Finance: Securing funding through bodies like the EIB and applying for EU grants, such as the Innovation Fund, will be critical for scaling the system.
• Regulatory Support: Engaging policymakers to align the technology with maritime energy standards and environmental regulations is key to market entry.
- Overview of the Results
Key technical and scientific outcomes of the GREENH2WAVE project include:
• Advancement of FOWC technology from TRL 3 to TRL 4 (project main objective).
• Completed wave tank tests of the 1:70 scale prototype, confirming its dynamic stability and high efficiency in various ocean conditions.
• Peak energy conversion efficiency of 93% in regular waves and 81% in random waves, outperforming traditional WECs.
• Paper submitted to Ocean Engineering showcasing scientific achievements.
• Patent application submitted to the EPO for FOWC design idea protection.
• CEO's leadership and business skills improved through Women TechEU mentoring.
• Public outreach through social media and the company's website to promote clean energy solutions.