Wave power developer Mocean Energy has teamed up with energy firm Chrysaor, subsea energy storage experts EC-OG and AUV specialist Modus in a project that will look at using renewables for subsea power.
The project, funded by the partners together with the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC), will look to use Mocean Energy’s Blue Star wave energy converter and EC-OG’s HALO subsea energy storage system to power subsea tiebacks or residential AUVs.
If industry feedback is positive, the partners will press ahead with a technology field trial using a Mocean Energy prototype in the seas offOrkney later this year.
Once proven, these technologies could provide vital backup power in case of umbilical failure, with potential to provide green power for future fleets of autonomous AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles).
“Our first step will be an industry workshop at the OGTC in Aberdeen on 27 February where we will gather information on real-world applications and our field trial plans,” explained Mocean Energy Managing Director Cameron McNat. “We then plan to forge ahead with a field trial later this year at our test site in Orkney.”
Last year, Mocean Energy secured £3.3 million from Wave Energy Scotland to build and test a half-scale version of their technology at sea. The device is currently being fabricated.
“This project gives us the opportunity to put our prototype to real use and will give us the chance to draw on the subsea expertise of our project partners.
“It is a genuine opportunity to showcase the potential for renewable energy to power a subsea application,” McNatt said.
