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Published on Tuesday, 22 May 2012 16:16

Langlee unveils new wave power design that slashes costs

Langlee Wave Power is today launching its upgraded E1 Wave Energy Converter that is considerably lighter than the previous model reducing production costs by 25%.

The Norwegian renewable energy company unveiled the new look design at the All Energy Exhibition and Conference in Aberdeen and revealed it will be running the new design E1 in a full scale test in Norway next year.

The product development upgrades have involved removing the four steel columns, reducing the weight of the 50kW 15 x 15 metre E1 by 40%.

Other modifications include placing all Power Take Off equipment, which was stored within the columns, within the generator module and the moulded corners have been replaced with welded corners which make it easier to manufacture. The improvements bring production costs down by 25% and also enable the full E1 steel structure to be mass produced on location using local shipyards with Langlee supplying the generator module.

Julius Espedal, CEO of Langlee Wave Power said: “Our design team has applied innovative thinking to upgrade the E1 technology to make it the most efficient wave energy solution. The new lightweight structure is robust enough to withstand wave conditions of up to 25 metres experienced in most coastal islands of the world and with the ability to easily upscale it into an array, we see huge potential for new global projects.

“We have made the refinements following feedback from customers and shipyards so that it can be manufactured from a simple blueprint wherever a project is being delivered, offering job creation opportunities to local communities.”

The E1 Wave Energy Converter is an engineered renewable energy system, based on proven offshore technology and standards. The lightweight modules lap up wave movement through large water wings. These move in opposite directions providing optimal power efficiency which is converted into electricity through generators.

An array featuring 20 E1 units is expected to provide 1 MW which would produce 4 GWh pr year, enough to power around 1,000 homes. This is approximately twice the annual production of a 1MW wind turbine, due to the stability of waves and the efficiency of the Langlee system.

The maintenance can all be carried out on site, with the E1 being deballasted with no need to tow to shore. The mooring system is based on proven fish farm technology which helps to drive down associated supply chain costs. The system can be easily installed, leaving an array to be filled with the required number of units which are connected by four mooring lines.

Langlee is progressing plans for a prototype project in the Canary Islands where the government is focused on bringing forward renewable energy solutions. The cost of energy in the islands is very high in comparison to the mainland and an area north of Archiplegao is considered one of the most suitable for marine energy due to the wave conditions. Langlee is working on a prototype with local authorities and The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands for an E1 Wave Energy Converter that could be fitted at the PLOCAN test site when cabling and planning is in place next year.