Offshore Wave Energy Ltd (OWEL) has developed & patented a new concept of wave energy device, which traps and compresses air in successive wave troughs.

The compressed air is accumulated in a reservoir and is then used to drive a turbine and thus generate power. The devices are inherently robust & are designed to be installed on floating platforms, moored offshore in sea areas where energetic wave spectra are found.

Generation of power from wave action is a complementary technology to offshore wind turbines. A single platform could host both wave and wind generators so that both platform costs and transmission line costs could be shared.

Wind turbine technology is well developed, and offshore wind farms have many advantages over land installations. They could be made more economically attractive if combined with wave energy devices.

OWEL has completed a feasibility study, sponsored by a DTI Smart Award followed by a 2 year Initial Development Programme sponsored by a Carbon Trust Grant. These have confirmed the technical performance of the wave energy converter design and the commercial viability of the concept.

A final development phase is now planned which will involve Design, Construction and Testing of a near full-scale device, most likely in the EMEC facility off Orkney.