Thursday 18 May 2017

Finnish firms make waves with new ocean tech

Finnish firms make waves with new ocean tech

A Finnish marine technology firm is lending its expertise to a new wave energy project.

Wärtsilä is supporting the development of AW-Energy's WaveRoller, a marine energy converter that harnesses the energy of ocean waves and turns it into electricity.

The device is a submerged steel panel located near the shore that is moved move back and forth by the movement of waves.

This causes hydraulic piston pumps to transfer fluid into a motor, driving a generator and creating an energy output of up to 1,000kW, depending on the intensity of the waves.

The companies aim to initially install a single WaveRoller unit off the coast of Peniche, Portugal, for a year-long trial.

The crucial components to be supplied by Wärtsilä include metallic bearing housings, steel bearings, lip seals and hydraulic couplings.

In addition to these products and services, Wärtsilä will also offer its expertise in the field.

Christopher Ridgewell, Chief Technology Officer at AW Energy, said: "Wärtsilä’s extensive experience in marine technology and power generation makes them an ideal partner for us.

"WaveRoller is an energy solution of the future and we are very happy to have Wärtsilä onboard to help us develop it further."

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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