Major boost for Hanstholm-project

Wave Energy and the Port of Hanstholm have taken a major step towards the full scale implementation and testing of the SSG breakwater wave energy technology in the Hanstholm harbour area in Denmark, after they agreed on the financing of a development project together with Innovation Norway.The development project started on March 15,  and the purpose is to come up with a solution for integrating the SSG breakwater technology, Wave Energy´s patented and innovative solution for more efficient utilization of waves to generate electricity,  into the development plans the Port of Hanstholm have for their new harbour area. The General Manager of Wave Energy, Monika Bakke is pleased that a financial package has been agreed upon.

– We came up with a solution where all three parties pay a third each of the total budget of 1.8 million NOKs. We are very happy with this arrangement, and feel it is a strong commitment from all parties to look at integrating sustainable and environmentally sound solutions in this major building project, Ms. Bakke said

A full scale implementation of the technology will require new solutions for design, construction and installation for Wave Energy, and Ms. Bakke believes it is a step in the right direction for her company.

– For us the project means raising our competency to a higher level and also a major step towards the international commercialization of our technology, she said.

There has been close cooperation between the Port of Hanstholm management and Wave Energy for the past year to realise the project. Port Director of the Port of Hanstholm, Birgitte Klittenberg Juhl, believes implementing the technology is a natural consequence to them.

– As it happens we have the best waves in Denmark. Therefore there´s a lot of interest from wave technology companies. In connection with the construction of our new piers, it was only natural that we, instead of regarding the waves as an enemy destroying our piers, see them as a resource from which we can create lasting energy. Ms. Juhl said.

The construction work on the new parts of the harbour is set to start in 2012.

For any questions or interview, please contact

General Manager of Wave Energy, Monika Bakke, on number +47 41 44 84 85 or send an e-mail to monika.bakke@waveenergy.com.

Port Director, Port of Hanstholm Birgitte K. Juhl , on number +45 51 58 38 20 or send an e-mail to bj@portofhanstholm.dk

New associate

We are expandig our team. Lucia Margheritini with her PhD in Wave Energy will work for us, stationed at the University of Aalborg, Denmark. She will contribute to our work with the development and testing of a full scale demonstration plant in Svaaheia, Eigersund.More than three year of intensive collaboration between Aalborg University and Wave Energy as has resulted in Lucia Margheritini´s PhD in Wave Energy. We have now hired Margheritini to on the process that will lead to the construction of full scale device and its commercialization.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE. Lucia Margheritini has a Msc in Environmental Engineering at the University of Bologna, Italy and a PhD in Wave Energy at the Department of Civil Engineering of Aalborg University, Denmark (www.civil.aau.dk/). 
Aalborg University is World wide recognized for testing of wave energy devices, featuring more than 10 years experience in the field. Margheritini´s PhD Thesis is titled: “R&D towards commercialization of the SSG overtopping wave energy converter” and presented as a collection of works published by the author on her research on the feasibility of full scale SSG device.

COLLABORATION BETWEEN AALBORG AND WAVE ENERGY. The work that led to the PhD is the result of more than three years intensive collaboration between Aalborg University and Wave Eenergy AS.
– I have in particular been responsible of laboratory testing on hydraulic performance and wave loading, numerical simulations for estimation of power production and feasibility studies of SSG on breakwaters, Margheritini describes.

R&D WORK ON SEVERAL WAVE ENERGY DEVICES. During her working experience at Aalborg University Lucia has also been involved at different degrees on R&D of other wave energy devices, namely AquaBuOY, Wave Plane and Dexa. She has also and participated in two EU projects as for the SSG device (EU FP6 program, titled “Full scale demonstration of robust and high-efficiency wave energy converter”) and Equimar FP7 to deliver a suite of protocols for the equitable evaluation of marine energy converters.

FOR THE FUTURE. – I´m actively convinced that for a sustainable future, diversification of renewable energy sources is fundamental. Wave energy has an indisputable potential as well as great charm and challenges. This resource must be mastered and the SSG device has the potential to do the job very well, she says.

FULL-SCALE TESTING. Construction of SSG full scale device is near and full scale data are the major crave of the wave energy sector today.
– It is important to collect full scale data to validate and implement existing models for prediction of overtopping and wave loadings, find efficient solution to challenges and eventually perform a proper dissemination of results, Margheritini claims. She will be committed to collect and present those data as well as on the process that will lead to the construction of full scale device and its commercialization.

Full-scale testing in Eigersund

Wave Energy will soon know if their full-scale testing of the SSG-technology can be realized at Eigersund municipality. The local government is currently evaluating the local development plan where Wave Energy has applied for permission to locate a full-scale demonstration plant.

TOGETHER WITH “DALANE VIND”. In addition to Wave Energy, the Company Dalane Vind has applied to build a 24 MW wind park in the same area. The decision from the local government in Eigersund is expected by the end of the year.

– We are currently evaluating the technical details on the location at the area Svaaheia,  Eigersund, and are also defining the system´s specifications and overall budgets. If the development plan is approved, we expect to make the investment decision in April 2010, says General Manager, Monika Bakke.

BREAKWATER-TESTING IN REAL SEA CONDITIONS. The planned demonstration plant at Svaahaia will be fully equipped and connected to the local grid. The technology will be tested in real sea conditions, and the plan is to construct the plant as an integrated part of a breakwater structure. In this way also the concepts capabilities as a breakwater will be tested.

– So far we have carried out several small-scale laboratory tests in co-operation with the University at Aalborg, Denmark. These tests have been carried out to determine the structure geometry and to optimize the technologies hydraulic efficiency. The planned demonstration plant in Svaaheia is our first full-scale plant, Bakke explains.

SYNERGY-AREA. The area of Svaaheia is located nearby an already existing industry area. This is important when it comes to minimizing the potential of crossing interest conflicts. With Dalane Vind also planning a wind park in the same area, several renewable technology companies will be gathered at the same place. This will not only reduce the overall nature impact but also open up interesting and beneficial synergies.

– Our plans are to carry out a wide range of different tests both on structure, single components and system optimization. The different tests will have various requirements regarding to the testing period. We anticipate a 5-7 year testing period even though it will not take that long to get the results required to move forward to commercial projects, says Bakke.

AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE. – The demonstration plant is a very important milestone for Wave Energy and our work towards commercialization of our technology. The project is a crucial step in order to prove, optimize and gain experience to further develop our concept, she continues.

Wave Energy will construct the demonstration plant without making permanent interventions in the nature and landscape. This will be done by keeping the blasting to a minimum and making sure that the structure and surrounding facilities can be removed after the test period is completed.

The total investment cost is expected to be 15–20 MNok.

Stockhom cleantech venture day 2009

Wave Energy is one of 25 companies chosen and will present their SSG solutions at the international Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day 2009.

The international Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day is perhaps Scandinavia´s most important cleantech investment day and will provide Wave with the opportunity to meet face to face with international investors and decision makers.

Wave Energy beat off fierce competition from more than 45 companies applying for a spot. Business Coach at Stockholm Innovation & Growth, STING, Magnus Rehn makes the following analysis on the importance of the exhibition:

– Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day has established itself as the most important meeting place for entrepreneurs and investors in the field of cleantech. This year we have had the opportunity to make an extraordinary selection of promising companies from all over the Nordic region and throughout most fields of cleantech applications.

Magnus Agerstrom at Cleantech Scandinavia goes even further saying:

– This year’s 25 selected companies are the best Scandinavia has to offer.

The Stockholm Cleantech Venture Day 2009 will be held in Stockholm on the 29th of September.

Entering internationals markets

In cooperation with Innovation Norway Wave Energy is this autumn entering new markets in the US, UK, Ireland and Canada. John Peter Hernes, who has his seat in Wave Energy´s board of directors, will work as Marketing Director and lead this work starting in August 2009. Why these countries and these markets?

– These are all countries with long exposed coastlines and economies with huge demand of energy. Both the UK, Ireland, USA and Canada are potential markets for wavegenerated power. President Obama´s emphasis on renewable energy makes it even more exciting to explore the opportunities over there, Hernes says.

Wave Energy hopes to build a test facility on the coast outside Egersund in the southwest of Norway. But for Norway to develop a commercial home market for alternative energy, the political commitment needs to be stronger and more concrete. Wave Energy finds that other countries have taken the lead role when it comes to renewable energy, with attractive feed-in tariffs and other incentives.

– It is vital for us to find strong local partners to work with. Our short term goal is to seek concrete sites and opportunities for building test- or commercial wave power plants. Then we need to cooperate with partners to plan and build these, Hernes emphasis.

At the present he thinks that Wave Energy is best served by using its technological and economical advantages into integrating power production such as breakwaters and harbour fronts.

– The ideal situation is where a breakwater and/or harbour is being planned, expanded or modified, enabling our technology to be built into the structure. Harbour owners, power companies and local authorities are therefore key decision makers in developing a project together with Wave Energy.

Wave Energy is still a small company. The cooperation with Innovation Norway and with international and local industry organisations, is of great importance. Hernes strategy is also attending conferences and having meetings with potential customers and partners to develop contacts and leads.

– One sometimes gets the feeling that the energy debate is a matter of one or the other. In my opinion the fact is that we need all sources of energy. In the foreseeable future, alternative energy cannot replace our need for oil, gas or coal, but I think we are dependent upon developing renewable clean energy sources like wave power, Hernes says.

New product developer

We are proud to present our new Product Developer, Kjartan Gilje (35). He will start working with us at July the first.

– This is a large challenge which I could not leave unexplored. I have a large interest both in the concept and business, so I just had to apply for the job, says Gilje.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE. Kjartan Gilje is educated as a technical draftsman within mechanical skills. He has also got a job-training education within mechanical engineering. He now leaves his present position as project engineer in ODIM JMC as, Stavanger, to work for Wave Energy.

Gilje has been working in the Norwegian oil and gas industry for about 16 years, and has during this time gained great experience within the fields of design, engineering, development and project management.

FOR THE FUTURE. For Wave Energy Gilje´s experience is crucial in developing both the company and the concept, and Kjartan Gilje is very pleased that he gets the opportunity to work within the renewable energy-field:

– Renewable energy is the future. The authorities all over the world need to plan for renewable solutions to meet future challenges. If Wave Energy can generate high efficiencies, wave power will be one of the best alternatives of renewable energy, he comments.

FULL-SCALE TESTING. The new Product Developer´s main tasks will at first be to develop technical and mechanical solutions for a full-scale test-project of Wave Energy´s wave power technology.

– I am looking very much forward to start working with aspects that I take great interest in. I also find it very motivating to participate in the development of Wave Energy both as a company and as a front soldier in wave power technology.

Opportunity for SSG full scale testing at Hanstholm Harbour, Denmark

Wave Energy is together with Hanstholm Harbour looking at the possibility to implement and conduct full-scale testing of the SSG Breakwater technology at Hanstholm Harbour.

The wind and the waves at Hanstholm are usually seen upon as difficult, at the best challenging. Both elements are now to become important activa in the development plans of the Hanstholm Harbour.Denmark will this year host the UN Climate Conference.

- In this perspective it is also natural for us to plan for sustainable solutions in our development plans for the harbour area at Hanstholm, says Birgitte Juul, general manager at Hanstholm Harbour.

In her opinion wave power will be an important factor in developing the Hanstholm Harbour for the future.
- By being an attractive partner in this field, new opportunities will open up at Hanstholm Harbour, she reasons.

- Building the SSG Breakwater compared to a conventional breakwater solution will be a cost efficient and environmental friendly solution, as the SSG Breakwater in addition to providing wave protection, also will produce renewable and pollution free energy, says Monika Bakke, general manager of Wave Energy.

Wave Energy has so far not found the optimal place to conduct full-scale sea trial testing of their new technology. Maybe Hanstholm Harbour will turn out to be that perfect choice.

In March, Wave Energy will visit the management of Hanstholm Harbour, to discuss future plans and cooperation.

For more details on the Hanstholm Harbours development plans (Danish), click here. For further information about Hanstholm Harbour, please visit their homepage.