Portable Wave Energy for the Global AquaCulture Industry

Why spend so much money on a bulk steel body and concrete work when all you need is clean wave energy? CleanWave is a portable and oil spill free wave-to-energy-converter (WEC) that is designed to be used in floating structures such as fishing/feeding barges in the aquaculture industry. It’s affordable, robust and can grow fast in multiple markets. It phases out those dirty and loud diesel generators, giving peace and less acidity (better water conditions) for the live stock. Please follow our social media accounts to stay in the loop for many exciting projects.

Project Introduction

Cleanwave WEC (Wave Energy Converter) is a new technology developed for Food and Energy industries. 

The importance of aquaculture is increasing to meet the demands for the healthy protein globally. The annual production amounts based on catching wild fish in aquaculture are rapidly decreasing, on the other hand the demand to the production of aquaculture is in increase with a growth of approximately %5 annually.

Currently, offshore aquaculture farms meet their energy needs from diesel generators. However, use of diesel harms the marine life and increase emissions. The energy policies of countries are working towards to reduce or completely ban the use of diesel fuel in the upcoming years. Emissions emitters are likely to face severe penalties.

CleanWave WEC is a safer and effective alternative for generating electricity from ocean waves in fish farms. The product has a modular structure that can be positioned on barge platforms at all fish farms (including all floating platforms such as staff and living quarters, feed bunker silos, generators and diesel fuel tanks, airblower equipment etc.). 

The team works on the introduction of portable wave generators that can produce 25 to 30 KWh. It will be possible to increase the number of units depending on the demand.

CleanWave product can use the existing barge structure for energy generation. Since this application is able to use an existing barge, during its installation or production, it does not require any high-cost structural elements where already existing WECs (floating, anchoring, foundation structures) have all these as their main structure. 

Furthermore, the energy generated does not need to be transferred to the shore because the consumption occurs at the generation area. Therefore, there will be no need for subsea power cables and transformers.

Approximately 60-65% of the total cost of a typical point absorber WEC is spent on the structures mentioned above. 

It is calculated that %60 of a cost advantage (minROI-Return on Investment), where all mechanical, electrical and electronic units will be in a waterproof box and located on the Barge; will ensure the low repair/maintenance costs. (min OPEX- Operational and Minor Maintenance Expenditure). 

Cleanwave WEC has a great potential for broad marketing and sales in near future thanks to its advantageous ROI, OPEX rates, low-cost, low-risk investment to end-users, nature-friendly technology and its unique design of using existing barge structures to perform for an efficient energy conversions and storage.

The design of the prototype won awards at contests such as at Turkey Climatelauchpad 2020 contest, it is ranked as first place, also has awarded to be at 2nd rank at the same contest’s regional countries finals where there were 14 countries competing. 

Why are we applying to this call?

Ocean energy has attracted increasing interest, particularly in the EU, which is currently at the forefront of ocean energy development. In the EU, the aim is to reach 100 GW of combined wave and tidal capacity installed by 2050.

However, current forecasts estimate a global installed capacity of only about 170 MW by 2020, which represents only 7% of the NREAPs (Targets set by member states in National Renewable Energy Action Plans) 

Over 50% of global RD&D investments in ocean energy are taking place within the EU. The EU has implemented support mechanisms to aid the development of ocean energy. 66MW of ocean energy projects in the EU are expected to become operational by 2018.

CleanWave offers a low-cost, low-risk investment for energy companies both due to the design of the WEC and targeted near-shore market having less harsh sea conditions but significant energy potential. 

• Scalable, lower cost investment aiming shorter ROI term and minimal OPEX

• Oil free & nature friendly technology with environmental sensitivity

• High electrical efficiency designed for 54% conversion and potential for more

CleanWave is a patented technology and currently moving to TRL-7 level commercialization phase.

Project is accepted to the Vattenfall: Greenfield program which provides a direct channel to the potential clients for commercialised products.

During the project, will undertake the activities as follows: 

• To optimise the energy converter units

• To improve the storage units for establishing various ways to use the stored energy

• To improve and establish a smart energy control unit for combining the use of the different energy sources (diesel, wave energy, etc.) on the barge. 

• To realise the end-user GUI for easier use and tracking.

• To develop/improve the component/units for product’s easy installation to the barge.

• Real-environment field trials 

• Reach level TRL 9 a commercial product for the market from TRL 6 (currently moving to TRL-7 level commercialization phase.)

• Industrialisation of the product

• Broad demonstration opportunities 

• To establish Marketing and Sales network

• Commercialisation and Dissemination activities

Team