Hydro & Marine News

Friday 20 November 2009

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond switched on the Oyster wave device today

Aquamarine Power's ‘Oyster' wave energy device has been switched on today (November 20) after it was revealed to have generated more than £1 million for the Orkney economy through development expenditure.

First Minister for Scotland Alex Salmond turned on the 500kW wave power convertor to be tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), which received a boost of £2.5 million in funding from the Scottish government earlier this week (see this NewEnergyFocus.com story).

The device has now begun producing electricity by pumping high pressure water to its onshore hydro-electric turbine. This electricity will be fed into the National Grid to power homes in Orkney and beyond. It is claimed that a farm of 20 Oysters would provide enough energy to power 9,000 three bedroom family homes.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Salmond said: "I'm delighted to see first-hand the full-scale Oyster now installed and operating offshore. This is a key milestone for Aquamarine Power and for Scotland's marine renewables sector.

"Scotland's potential renewables capacity is estimated to be around 60GW. Our waters hold around ten per cent of Europe's wave power potential and as much as a quarter of its tidal power potential. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) provides world-leading test facilities for Aquamarine and other companies to develop the technology needed to harness this huge untapped potential."

He also confirmed further R&D funding of almost £1m to Aquamarine Power for the development of Oyster 2, which could be installed within two years.

Oyster is Edinburgh-based wave energy company Aquamarine Power's first demonstration-scale wave energy device. Its performance will now be monitored and the results from the testing will provide a basis for the design of the next-generation commercial-scale Oyster.

It is designed to capture the energy found in nearshore waves in water depths between 10 and 16 metres.

The device was first put into the water at EMEC's Billia Croo wave testing site in August 2009 (see this NewEnergyFocus.com story).

Economy boost

Figures released by Aquamarine Power this week (November 19) show that the installation of the Oyster device involved more than 30 local companies ranging from engineering and construction contractors to environmental consultancies, diving and vessel hire, event organisers and photographers.

It is claimed that the actual expenditure on local contractors and suppliers came to more than £1 million.

In addition, the company had seven staff working full-time in Orkney during the installation of the device.

Chief executive officer of Aquamarine Power, Martin McAdam, said: "Our figures demonstrate the positive impact that wave energy can have on the Orkney economy.

"A successful Oyster project would unlock £3-4 million of capital expenditure per MW installed, of which a significant proportion would be invested in the Orkney economy. A commercial wave farm could therefore represent a significant boost to the local economy and would provide long-term skilled jobs for local residents."

He also claimed that ongoing operation and maintenance would generate a further £150,000 per annum to the local economy.

Convener of Orkney Islands council, Stephen Hagan, said: "Orkney's efforts to support the development of marine renewables in Scotland has been further rewarded with the successful installation of Aquamarine Power's Oyster device. The skills and experience developing in the county will help ensure that Orkney remains at the forefront of renewable energy developments into the future.

"We remain committed to supporting this sector and ensuring that Orkney can put forward the best it has to offer, to optimise further growth and expansion in the industry."