Fendercare Assist in Wave Energy Converter Installation

Finnish renewable technology developer, Wello Ltd., install Orkney (UK) wave energy converter partnered by Fendercare Marine.

Wello Penguin is a unique and patented construction to harvest ocean energy. It is based on industry standard components, including a generator typically used by wind turbines, to allow scalable manufacturing by virtually any shipyard using existing manufacturing processes.

Fendercare Marine part of James Fisher and Sons plc were chosen by Wello to provide a range of services as part of the installation, of the 'Penguin' wave energy converter.

The Penguin wave energy converter is now floating and connected to a mooring system in the Billia Croo test site.  The actual installation of the Penguin took only 36 hours and was conducted by a multicat vessel assisted by a harbour tug.

Initial results confirm efficient rotating movement of the Penguin WEC even in smaller waves than originally anticipated. Installation will be followed by data collection and performance optimization based on the data.

Located at the heart of the world’s wave and tidal energy industry, Fendercare Marine’s Lyness service and support base was opened in 2011 and is ideally positioned to improve the processes of build, installation, test and ongoing maintenance. 

A second offshore base, dedicated to supporting offshore wind turbines, was opened in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 19 July 2012, further demonstrating their group-wide strategy of supporting offshore wind and renewable energy projects from its strategically located bases throughout the UK.