Fife-built prototype to make waves in Orkney as carbon neutral energy source

Fife fabricator AJS Production has begun the construction of a 30-tonne wave machine set to take to the seas this autumn.
An artist's impression of the wave machine prototype, designed by Edinburgh technology start-up Mocean EnergyAn artist's impression of the wave machine prototype, designed by Edinburgh technology start-up Mocean Energy
An artist's impression of the wave machine prototype, designed by Edinburgh technology start-up Mocean Energy

The 20-metre-long Blue Star is a prototype wave energy converter, designed by Edinburgh technology start-up Mocean Energy, which is scheduled to be deployed in Orkney later this year.

Blue Star will undergo quayside ballasting and wet testing at Burntisland following completion, before being transported by land to Aberdeen and by ferry to Orkney. It will then be subject to a number of sea trials with a view to generating first power before the end of the year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

AJS Production MD Raymond Imrie said: “This is a great project to be involved in and is yet another milestone in Scotland being at the forefront in leading the UK to become carbon neutral.

The machine is now being built at fabricator AJS ProductionThe machine is now being built at fabricator AJS Production
The machine is now being built at fabricator AJS Production

“The project is well underway and although we have been involved in similar contracts, we are still learning lessons when it comes to working on prototypes of this scale. We have had the backing of a good lead team, along with a professional design team, who have certainly made the project run smoothly.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the device launched successfully and sea trials beginning in the autumn.”

Cameron McNatt, MD of Mocean, added: “The UK oil and gas sector is exploring ways to decarbonise their operations and this technology has a range of uses in powering subsea technology.

“Our Blue Star design has undergone rigorous numerical modelling and tank testing at the world leading wave tank at Nantes and it is very exciting to see it taking shape in steel in advance of sea trials.

“AJS Production has a great track record in offshore fabrication and it is terrific to see work progressing so well.”

Read More
Wave energy firm Mocean buoyed by opening base in Aberdeen

Mocean Energy last month announced a pilot project with oil major Chrysaor and subsea specialists EC-OG and Modus to study the potential to use the Blue Star prototype to power a subsea battery and a remote underwater vehicle at the Orkney site.

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.