WEDUSEA

A step change for wave energy
wave
Project title: WEDUSEA (Wave Energy Demonstration at Utility Scale to Enable Arrays)
Project funders: , and
Total project value: €19,564,753
University of Plymouth researchers: Professor Lars Johanning , Dr Chenyu Zhao
Project website:
 
is a project that aims to demonstrate the technological and commercial viability of large-scale wave energy.
The project will run for four years and consist of three phases. In the first phase, the aim is to design a device that can withstand the ocean conditions at the test site. Next, a two-year demonstration of the device at the site will take place. The final phase will concentrate on the commercialisation of the project and sharing the outcomes with relevant parties.
The goal of this programme is to enhance the efficiency, reliability, scalability, and sustainability of wave energy technology. By doing so, it will reduce the risks involved in investing in this technology and accelerate its use on a large scale.
Wedusea
 

OE35 – floating wave energy device

OE35
has developed the OE35, the world’s largest capacity floating wave energy device.
Floating on the ocean’s surface, the device incorporates a trapped air volume, with the lower part open to the sea. Wave pressures at the submerged opening cause the water to oscillate and drive the trapped air through a turbine to generate electricity. This energy can be exported to the grid or used in other offshore applications.
Over two years, WEDUSEA will demonstrate a grid-connected 1MW OE35 floating wave energy converter at the European Marine Energy Centre test site in Orkney, Scotland.
 

Project goals

  • To demonstrate that wave technology is on a cost reduction trajectory, thus stimulating larger commercial array scale up and further industrialisation, through de-risking larger scale investments. This will therefore help meet the 1GW target set out in the 2030 DG-ENER Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy and the 2050 EU renewable energy targets.
  • To boost the development of the wave energy industry worldwide, by creating awareness of the potential of wave energy amongst policy makers, industry, potential investors and the public, thus directly impacting policy, public perception and investor confidence in wave energy.
  • To disseminate results and outcomes which enable the capitalisation and exploitation of the results through new innovations, products and services, as well as feeding both environmental databases and worldwide technical standards.

WEDUSEA is set to be a major catalyst for the wave energy industry, unlocking the full potential of this exciting renewable technology. WEDUSEA will make a significant contribution to meeting the challenges of climate change and the energy crisis, boosting the wave energy industry worldwide. The new WEDUSEA project will take wave energy to the next level, opening up the way for large scale commercial arrays.

Lars JohanningProfessor Lars Johanning
Associate Head of School - Research

Close-up wave
 

A pioneering partnership

Wedusea


WEDUSEA is a unique partnership collaboration between 14 industry and academic partners from Ireland, the UK, Spain, France, and Germany, coordinated by Ocean Energy.
“We believe that WEDUSEA will be transformational for the wave energy industry. This project will demonstrate that wave technology is on a cost-reduction trajectory and will thus be a stepping stone to larger commercial array scale-up and further industrialisation. We predict that the natural energy of the world’s oceans will one day supply much of the grid.”
Professor Tony Lewis, Ocean Energy

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

In response to climate change imperatives, we are bringing together a critical mass of leading research and expertise from across the University of Plymouth. Through co-creation and collaboration with partners from business, government and key communities from across the globe, the Centre aims to be a beacon for the University’s whole-system transdisciplinary approach to solutions-oriented research, accelerating sustainable developments in decarbonisation and renewable energy.
Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy