Energy minister Lord Hunt has paid a visit to wave energy firm Trident Energy, as the company unveiled its new linear generator and 20kW wave power rig.
Lord Hunt and Waveney MP Bob Blizzard viewed the generator in the Lowestoft shipyard on Friday, where it was recently manufactured, as well as the test rig, which is in the final stages of construction before being installed out at sea early next year.
The visitors were then were given a demonstration of the generator, which lit up a number of light bulbs as proof of its viability.
Lord Hunt emphasised his belief in wave energy to press at the site, saying: "Not only can we get lots of renewable energy from waves, but for Britain it can mean lots of exports and lots of jobs, and that's fantastic."
Deployment
On completion of the rig, engineers will integrate eight of full scale linear generators, before deployment in the North Sea for a year-long test run.
Suffolk-based Trident Energy has developed and patented the Direct Energy Conversion Method, which generates electricity from ocean waves using only one moving part. Floats placed in the sea are used to drive linear generators, without the aid of hydraulics or air compression (see this New Energy Focus story).
Trident Energy's chief executive officer, Hugh-Peter Kelly, said: "Wave power is one of the most promising forms of renewable energy, as 40% of our entire national electricity needs can come from harnessing wave power around the UK. Our goal has been to create a simple and sustainable solution that provides the maximum amount of renewable energy with the minimum environmental impact."
Data from the Trident project will be validated by NaREC, and, if tests are successful, the firm expects to market its technology worldwide.
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