Periodic Reporting for period 6 - Wavepiston (Competitive Wave Energy on Islands)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-12-01 bis 2023-07-31
Wavepiston is developed on the shoulders of the first-generation wave energy technologies. Due to its low weight, low-tech design, simple installation and operations & maintenance, Wavepiston will be the disruptive technology that can make wave energy competitive with the other renewable energy sources with the least disruption of the environment and no visual impact.
Our prototype test and Phase I feasibility study have confirmed this potential. The Wavepiston system is easy to transport on 40’ feet containers, is easy to assemble on site by local staff and can be deployed from a regular tugboat, just like operations and maintenance can be carried out without expensive specialists.
In the Phase 2 project, we will install a full-scale Wavepiston demonstration system in Gran Canaria to demonstrate the energy potential, durability and survivability ensuring a low cost per kWh.
From a commercial point of view, our first goal is to contribute to decarbonization of islands and remote coastal areas, for which we already have interested clients at in the Carribean, Canary Islands, Sardinia, Marshall Islands, Philippines and the Maldives.
Our prototype test and Phase I feasibility study have confirmed this potential. The Wavepiston system is easy to transport on 40’ feet containers, is easy to assemble on site by local staff and can be deployed from a regular tugboat, just like operations and maintenance can be carried out without expensive specialists.
In the Phase 2 project, we will install a full-scale Wavepiston demonstration system in Gran Canaria to demonstrate the energy potential, durability and survivability ensuring a low cost per kWh.
From a commercial point of view, our first goal is to contribute to decarbonization of islands and remote coastal areas, for which we already have interested clients at in the Carribean, Canary Islands, Sardinia, Marshall Islands, Philippines and the Maldives.
The Phase 2 project plan is structured in 6 work packages as follows:
- WP1 Management
- WP2 Preparation for the full-scale demonstration
- WP3 Manufacturing demonstration system and site installation
- WP4 Demonstration and qualification
- WP5 Business plan, commercial exploitation and dissemination.
- WP6 Ethics requirements
Pre-installation installed and in operation December 2020 - March 2021. Detailed analysis on all parts completed. Input to updates to design and procedures.
All system components except energy collectors for full-scale system have been manufactured and assembled ready at mobilisation site. Energy collectors are being manufactured.
Pipe and mooring has been installed.
Preparations for the full-scale installation ongoing: string and energy collectors.
Continue with meetings with public and private stakeholders in relation to commercial projects to follow the demonstration in Gran Canaria.
International patent on our PTO system (pumps) have been granted. We have applied for new patents.
We have secured the required funding for the remainder of the project incl. a large institutional investor and successfully launched two rounds of equity crowdfunding on the Seedrs platform. We are currently working on funding for next phase to commercialise Wavepiston.
- WP1 Management
- WP2 Preparation for the full-scale demonstration
- WP3 Manufacturing demonstration system and site installation
- WP4 Demonstration and qualification
- WP5 Business plan, commercial exploitation and dissemination.
- WP6 Ethics requirements
Pre-installation installed and in operation December 2020 - March 2021. Detailed analysis on all parts completed. Input to updates to design and procedures.
All system components except energy collectors for full-scale system have been manufactured and assembled ready at mobilisation site. Energy collectors are being manufactured.
Pipe and mooring has been installed.
Preparations for the full-scale installation ongoing: string and energy collectors.
Continue with meetings with public and private stakeholders in relation to commercial projects to follow the demonstration in Gran Canaria.
International patent on our PTO system (pumps) have been granted. We have applied for new patents.
We have secured the required funding for the remainder of the project incl. a large institutional investor and successfully launched two rounds of equity crowdfunding on the Seedrs platform. We are currently working on funding for next phase to commercialise Wavepiston.
The overall project goal is to demonstrate the competitiveness of the Wavepiston system to supply clean electricity harvested from the energy in the waves. As we are testing at PLOCAN, an ocean platform located in an island (our targeted type of customer), we expect both to contribute and benefit from the interaction with local stakeholders, in terms of know-how for electricity and pre-commercial possibilities.
The highest environmental and social impact of the Wavepiston system:
- Low visual impact: It cannot be seen from shore, except for the top of the 2 buoys
- Low sound impact: It cannot be heard from shore.
The system can be in habited areas including tourist areas, an important source of income, hence visual and sound impact are important factors.
- Low environmental impact: The patented innovation in our system compensates forces so the need of mooring and structural components are reduced significantly. This also reduces the weight per MW significantly.
During Phase 2 more studies are taking place and measures being implemented to reduce impact to the sea ecosystem.
- Low costs and low CO2 emission: Due to the low weight, the design for automated manufacturing, and easy logistics, we can achieve a competitive cost level and have a very low initial CO2 impact.
- All of the above contributes for island and coastal communities as customers, usually dependent on the natural ecosystems, both at sea and land, to benefit from a clean, non-intrusive energy system compatible with local livelihoods.
Wavepiston has the potential for water desalination, which is being studied and tested in another project. This will add to local communities’ welfare.
Regarding economic potential impact, during the Phase 2 project we will prepare the first commercial projects together with project developers. This will enable us to start the commercialisation phase right after the finalisation of the present Phase 2 project.
The highest environmental and social impact of the Wavepiston system:
- Low visual impact: It cannot be seen from shore, except for the top of the 2 buoys
- Low sound impact: It cannot be heard from shore.
The system can be in habited areas including tourist areas, an important source of income, hence visual and sound impact are important factors.
- Low environmental impact: The patented innovation in our system compensates forces so the need of mooring and structural components are reduced significantly. This also reduces the weight per MW significantly.
During Phase 2 more studies are taking place and measures being implemented to reduce impact to the sea ecosystem.
- Low costs and low CO2 emission: Due to the low weight, the design for automated manufacturing, and easy logistics, we can achieve a competitive cost level and have a very low initial CO2 impact.
- All of the above contributes for island and coastal communities as customers, usually dependent on the natural ecosystems, both at sea and land, to benefit from a clean, non-intrusive energy system compatible with local livelihoods.
Wavepiston has the potential for water desalination, which is being studied and tested in another project. This will add to local communities’ welfare.
Regarding economic potential impact, during the Phase 2 project we will prepare the first commercial projects together with project developers. This will enable us to start the commercialisation phase right after the finalisation of the present Phase 2 project.