nir-vana innovation network

Nowadays, the world is becoming a more sustainable place at a slow pace. Renewable energies are getting more importance and there are specific emission objectives for 2035 and 2050. In this issue, solar, hydraulic and wind energy are the most popular ones. Nevertheless, wave energy possesses unique characteristics that offer an advantage over other renewables such as wind and solar energy. These are some of the wave power advantages:
• Waves concentrate a greater power compared to other renewable energy sources. Also, their power density is higher than the one coming from wind. Thus, it is a more efficient energy
• There is no risk of polluting the surroundings in case of a disaster, unlike it occurs when using fossil fuel plants
• The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) estimates that wave energy is at least three times more predictable than wind energy

The Spanish SME has developed a renewable energy device that generates electricity using the ocean’s waves, tidal and river currents to provide renewable energy to isolated places. The patented device, which functions in low waves, operates at nearly 100% of the time thanks to its turbines system. The system is modular, portable and easy to install and maintain due to its single mooring line.

The system consists of a horizontal floating platform provided with multiple cross-flow turbines that are strategically disposed to oppose the waves and break them, emulating coral reefs. The process maximizes the capture of the wave's energy density. This system may be of 75kW, 440kW or 2 MW.

The company has tested two prototypes of 1:10th scale in the IH laboratory (Cantabria, Spain) and in real conditions (open sea). Currently, they have tested a 75kW system at the Bimep area, a wave energy test site located in the Basque Country (Spain).

This disruptive solution has won numerous awards and recognition including funding from the EU Horizon 2020 SME Instrument that was used to further advance its wave energy technology.

The company is offering its product to an electrical company or a provider to an electrical company as an innovative way of producing energy. This way the electrical company would become an early adopter of this product. Moreover, the company is looking for an outsourcing or subcontracting agreement, as the same agreement is used for wind energy. The electrical company outsources the service of the implementation of the product and its maintenance. It would also be interested in a financial agreement to test the solution in a real field environment and to make the investor part of the equity of the company.

Advantages & innovations

Currently, the most relevant technology of wave energy generation is buoys. The main differences between the company’s product and the buoys are: • The product has a unique patent technology that can work with waves, ocean and river currents. • The system captures both the vertical and the horizontal movement of waves, producing more energy. Buoys absorb partially the vertical movement of the waves because of their weight and mooring tension. • The product avoids storms thanks to the inverted bow design, while buoys are not submersible; consequently, they have to be designed to resist the extreme waves increasing its weight and size, being inefficient to produce energy. • The turbines are designed to work with most common waves, which are between 1 and 6 meters (90-98% annually,) working more hours. Buoys are inefficient with the common waves because of their high weight. • The product requires only one mooring line comparing to other technologies that usually need 3 to 6 lines, this allows to reduce the installation and maintenance costs. • The artifact is portable for maintenance and repairing. • The product is modular and connectable to other infrastructures. • Low manufacturing costs This innovative technology transforms ocean waves into a sustainable, zero emission, and economically competitive electric power source.

Stage of development

Available for demonstration

Partner sought

Partners sought include electrical companies or providers to electrical companies that are willing to deal with this innovative way of producing energy. This way the electrical company would become an early adopter of this product. The SME is looking to subcontract or provide its services under an outsourcing agreement. The services that will be provided are those of implementation and maintenance of the product The Spanish company would like to grow its business by establishing long term international partnerships in the renewable energy sector, through subcontracting and outsourcing agreements. The company will likewise welcome investors via financial agreements and thus, be capable of test the solution in real environment as well as making investors become part of the equity of the company.