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20 May 2003
Catching the Wave
Wind Prospect has joined forces with Ocean Power Delivery
Ltd (OPD) to pioneer the implementation of wave farms in the
southwest. This offers both companies a great opportunity
to catch the wave of this developing industry.
With Wind Prospect's offshore and onshore wind energy experience
and OPD's leading position in the design and manufacture of
wave energy converters, the team is set to bring the first
significant wave farm on stream in the southwest.
OPD will provide the wave energy converters and technical
support, while Wind Prospect will contribute their skills
in renewable energy site identification, permitting, Environmental
Impact Assessment, construction and operations.
Wind Prospect's move into wave energy has been encouraged
by the implementation of the Renewables Obligation, the mechanism
driving the UK towards 10% of electricity from renewable sources
by 2010 and the government's commitment to grant support for
emerging technologies.
Colin Palmer, Development Director, Wind Prospect Ltd
said:
"From wind farms to wave farms, we aim to be the
pioneers in the introduction of renewable energy technologies.
We have already commenced work, as we would like to see a
sizeable wave farm commissioned within two to three years.
When I worked in the wave energy industry in the 1980s
it wasn't going anywhere, so I switched to wind power in the
90s. We went on to develop Haverigg I, the second commercial
wind farm in the UK. After acquiring over a decade of development
experience with onshore and offshore wind energy projects,
we are excited to be directing our pioneering spirit towards
wave energy. "
Max Carcas, Business Development Director, OPD said:
"We are delighted to be working with Wind Prospect
in this region. The South West has an excellent wave resource,
good grid capacity and good support for this type of development.
Because of the time taken to develop these projects it is
important that this work is carried out in parallel with testing
of the first full-scale prototype at the European Marine Energy
Centre in Orkney.
Ends.
Notes for Editors:
Energy Minister Brian Wilson said on 16 January 2003:
"Wave and tidal power have huge potential to supply a
significant proportion of the country's future energy needs.
Britain is already a world-leader in this technology.
However, it is essential that we move from the research and
development phase, which has been going on for many years,
into commercial application."
WIND PROSPECT LTD
Wind Prospect is a leading independent renewable energy
developer, working in UK, Ireland and Australia, both onshore
and offshore. Wind Prospect's success in development, construction
and operations has been based on a decade of experience, flexibility
and a pioneering spirit.
Contact: Colin Palmer, Development Director
Ph: +44 (0)7775 532 475
Email: info@windprospect.com
Web: www.windprospect.com
OCEAN POWER DELIVERY LTD
Ocean Power Delivery Ltd is the developer of the Pelamis Wave
Energy Converter. The Pelamis is a semi-submerged articulated
structure composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged
joints. The wave-induced motion of these joints is resisted
by hydraulic rams which pump high pressure fluid through hydraulic
motors via smoothing accumulators. The hydraulic motors drive
electrical generators to produce electricity. Power is fed
to the seabed via a single dynamic umbilical connected to
a transformer in the machine's nose. Following five years
of development the first full-scale prototype is due to be
installed later this year at the European Marine Energy Centre
Orkney.
Contact: Max Carcas, Business Development Director Ph: +44
(0) 131 554 8444
Email: enquiries@oceanpd.com
Web: www.oceanpd.com
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