CorPower Starts Wave Energy Project in Portugal

July 7, 2020

Image Credit: CorPower

CorPower, a Swedish developer of wave energy converters, is establishing an R&D, Manufacturing & Service Centre for wave energy converters in Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

The location has been chosen to support CorPower’s demonstration project HiWave-5, and for the long-term development of supply and service capacity for commercial wave energy farms.

"Several factors have contributed to choosing Viana do Castelo for this investment. A strong competence pool of engineers from adjacent sectors such as offshore wind, composite manufacturing and shipyards, top-level universities and industrial infrastructure including ports and grid connection allows effective upscaling of operations in the region," CorPower said.

"CorPower’s work strongly complements the Portuguese Industrial Strategy for Ocean Renewable Energies, designed to create a competitive and innovative industrial export cluster for ocean renewable energy. Grid operator REN recently installed a new offshore cable servicing floating wind, and there is significant commercial interest from utilities and project developers for next-generation wave project development," the company added.

“This is a crucial stage in our pursuit to develop a new class of high-efficiency Wave Energy Converters. says Patrik Möller, CEO of CorPower Ocean. “CorPower’s goal is to successfully introduce certified and warrantied WEC products to the market by 2024, making wave energy a bankable technology that can attract mainstream renewable project finance.

“Wave energy can play a fundamental role in Portugal’s transition to 100% renewable energy while providing a platform to drive Portuguese exports and long-term investment opportunities for local supply chains. The HiWave-5 program is recognized as one of the most ambitious efforts in ocean energy. The arrival of HiWave-5 is set to reinforce Portugal’s reputation as a world-leader in renewable energy, with significant investment in people, technology, and facilities.”

CorPower and port authority APDL – Administração dos Portos do Douro, Leixões and Viana do Castelo – have reached an agreement to develop the ocean energy facility within the commercial port of Viana do Castelo. It will provide space for the fabrication, assembly and servicing of commercial-scale wave energy converters.

A spokesperson for the APDL Board said: “This project is in line with European sustainability objectives and is a considerable step towards decarbonization and large-scale implementation of clean energy. We intend to serve as an example, for other European ports, in what regards the utilization of existing infrastructures for similar purposes.”

The CorePower WEC is of point absorber type, with a heaving buoy on the surface absorbing energy from ocean waves and which is connected to the seabed using a tensioned mooring line. The device oscillates in resonance with the incoming waves, amplifying the motion and power capture.