Imagine a clean energy source, inspired by the human heart, with the potential to generate 10-20 percent of all electricity needed globally. Corpower Ocean is determined to create Wave Power that can handle tough storms and tight budgets. Armatec has supplied vital components for this, until now, secret project.
Late 2013 a man called Armatec’s Fredrik Johansson and asked unusually many questions about pressure relief. To get involved with the mysterious project Fredrik had to sign a document of confidentiality.
The technical challenges were out of the ordinary which was the thrill of it for me”, Fredrik says.
The ocean’s energy supply is endless but nobody has been able to develop wave power robust enough to withstand its power all while delivering energy at a reasonable price. Corpower is changing that.
”We develop highly efficient wave power converters inspired by the human heart”, says Patrik Möller, CEO of Corpower Ocean. “Behind the technology is cardiologist Stig Lundberg. A buoy with an air spring inside generates energy - similar to the heart muscle’s movement when pumping blood”.
The buoy extracts five times more energy than traditional wave power plants for a third of the cost, which makes the technology highly relevant.
The buoys of 20 metres will be in constant use for 20 years which complicates maintenance. That’s why each product in the redundant system is selected with care.
Armatec supplied the ball- and safety valves. When a wave sweeps in, a giant air spring in the buoy is pressed and then retracted. If pressure gets too high, the safety valves have to be trusted to let the right amount of air out.
”Armatec are technically versed”, Patrik continues. “They understand our high demands and have the knowledge to suggest the best solution. A perfect match for us”.
Corpower Ocean will carry out tests off the Orkney Islands in Scotland this autumn. If successful it will be a huge industrial breakthrough and the map of global energy supply will be redrawn.
Patrik Möller CEO of Corpower Ocean, the company develops a very efficient wave energy converter in a very capital efficient way.
