Power Take Off
This programme supported a wide range of Power-Take Off systems that each proposed a step change in the capital cost and/or efficiency/performance over current technology.
An introduction to our programmes
The WES programme has delivered a suite of competitive technology development programmes. These programmes have produced a range of commercially attractive innovations, headlined by the two winners of the Novel Wave Devices programme: Mocean Energy and AWS Ocean Energy. Both companies successfully demonstrated large-scale proof of concept wave energy devices at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, showing the necessary performance, reliability and survivability.
These devices, and the range of subsystem technologies emerging from the other competitions, have been created by a strong and experienced cohort of organisations, ranging from innovative wave-focused start-ups to Scotland-based engineering companies. With these solutions and experiences in-hand, the Scottish sector is poised to commercialise, a process which will require significant public sector funding, partnered with targeted private investment. Partnering with the UK government and European Commission should enable the final steps to be taken towards exploiting Scotland’s carefully-nurtured leading position.
Cameron McNatt of Mocean Energy describes the sector prior to WES
Why our programmes are different
In previous years, wave energy investment was a huge barrier for developers, but the structured pre-commercial procurement (PCP) approach changed the landscape for the industry, and takes wave energy technologies from concept to creation.
The success of the WES programme is founded upon a stage-gated competition with clear goals, effective decision-making processes and strong technical oversight by a team of skilled engineering project managers. The approach is now recognised internationally through IEA-OES and adopted by other governments, including the European Commission which has co-funded WES to lead delivery of the EuropeWave technology development programme.
Learn more about the PCP model
Wave Technology
The core WES activities are the development programmes, which utilise a pre-commercial procurement approach over 3 stages to enable competitive design evolution to address key challenges with commericalising the wave energy sector. Projects typically begin with conceptual design exploration and modelling validation in Stage 1, more thorough engineering design in Stage 2, before a large-scale demonstration in a representative environment in Stage 3.
Novel Wave Energy Converter
The Novel WEC programme aimed to enhance the power performance of truly novel WEC systems which have not been investigated previously, or existing systems which proposed substantial innovations.
Quick Connection Systems
This programme supported projects which aimed to reduce the duration, cost and risk of offshore operations for connecting prototype wave energy converters to their moorings and/or electrical systems.
Structural Materials
This programme investigated if it is possible to make a step change impact in LCOE by constructing typical WEC devices from alternative materials to those traditionally used, such as steel.
Control Systems
The Control Systems programme sought to design, develop and demonstrate advanced control systems for WECs and sub-systems which could deliver improvements in the WES Target Outcome Metrics.
Direct Generation
This competition is investigating conceptual approaches to integrate and apply Direct Generation technologies as part of wave energy converter systems.
EuropeWave
EuropeWave is a Horizon2020 funded programme, delivered by Ente Vasco de la Energía and WES, to develop and deploy multiple pre-commercial WEC systems in Scotland and the Basque region.