Aquamarine to flick switch on first Oyster device

Marine energy firm Aquamarine Power is today expected to formally launch its first grid-connected wave energy device at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond is expected to attend the ceremony where the 500KW Oyster device will be officially turned on for the first time and begin transmitting energy to the grid.

Speaking to BusinessGreen.com, Aquamarine Power chief executive Martin McAdam, said that the generator would now take part in a two-year trial to assess the efficiency and durability of the near shore device. However, he added that the early indications were that the generator was working well and exceeding expectations.

"The device is working to spec, but we've found that the wave flows are actually higher than expected so we are getting a bit more power out than we anticipated," he explained. "It's always good to under-promise and over-deliver. "

The Oyster device harnesses wave energy to drive onshore turbines, an approach that the company believe will help to reduce maintenance costs and improve the durability of the technology. The device is bolted to the sea floor in depths of just 10 to 12 metres, and the waves then drive a flap, which pumps sea water through pipes to drive an onshore turbine.

The company recently raised £10m in fresh funding to finance the testing of the Oyster device, and McAdam said it is now seeking up to £40m in additional funding for its first commercial-scale project.

The company already has an agreement in place with renewable energy firm Airtricity to jointly develop up to 1GW of marine power by 2020, and has begun work on plans for a commercial-scale array of Oyster devices, which it hopes to have in the water from 2014.