Seatricity to build 10-MW wave energy array off Cornwall

Dec 12, 2013 - UK-based wave energy firm Seatricity plans to install a 10-MW power system at Wave Hub, the wave energy test site off Cornwall in England, in 2015.

According to a statement on Wave Hub’s website from Tuesday, the company will deploy its Oceanus 2 device at one of the berths at the centre and complete testing next year. It intends to move to the next phase -- the full scale grid-connected array, in 2015.

The patented Oceanus technology uses an aluminium float that moves the waves and operates a pump to pressurise sea water to drive a hydropower turbine. The floats are tethered to blocks on the seabed, while the pumps are linked so that they generate huge amounts of highly pressurised water. The first version of the device -- the Oceanus 1 -- was tested at sea in Scotland.

Seatricity calculates that a 10-MW wave energy facility off the coast of the town Hayle near Cornwall could produce enough electricity for as many as 10,000 households.

Wave Hub was completed in 2010. This is its first agreement to lease out a berth. Seatricity will soon bring its custom-built work boat Ocean Enterprise to Wave Hub’s home port.

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