Scottish firm Mocean Energy’s Blue X wave energy device has taken the plunge in Orkney ahead of sea trials this summer.
Blue X, which is 20 metres long, and weighs in at 38 tonnes, has been unloaded at Hatston Pier, Kirkwall.
It was transported from Rosyth to Aberdeen and then by ship to Orkney.
The Scottish-made machine will undergo trials at Kirkwall before being towed to Stromness.
It will then be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre’s Scapa Flow test site for sea trials.
Later, it will move to EMEC’s grid connected wave test site at Billia Croo, on the west coast of Orkney.
The Blue X manufacture and testing programme is being supported by £3.3 million from Wave Energy Scotland through their Novel Wave Energy Converter programme.
It was built by Fife fabricator AJS Production and painted by Montrose-based Rybay Corrosion services.
Next year, Blue X will be connected to a subsea battery, which will be used to power a remotely-operated autonomous underwater vehicle – with potential applications in the offshore sector.
This £1.6 million project is being undertaken with support from the OGTC, Harbour Energy, and subsea specialists EC-OG and Modus.
Cameron McNatt, managing director of Edinburgh-headquartered Mocean, said: “This is a significant moment for Mocean Energy as our first prototype moves towards operations at sea – where all of our computer modelling, design and engineering will be put to the test.
“Our programme at EMEC will allow us to prove our concept at sea, particularly that its novel hull shapes will produce more power than traditional raft designs.
He added: “Our test programme coincides with the real prospect of a UK market support mechanism for marine energy, which could enable Scotland’s wave and tidal sector to take a global lead at a time when the whole word is seeking new ways to create a net zero future.”
EMEC managing direction Neil Kermode said: “Getting metal wet and testing technologies for prolonged periods is vital to prove performance, reliability and survivability, as well as how to install, operate, maintain and decommission such structures.
“With more technologies tested here in Orkney than anywhere else in the world, we’ve built up a repertoire of knowledge which can be shared to aid Mocean Energy’s journey, and I’m very interested to see how the Blue X performs and what lessons it will learn.”
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