The Hague’s Weco Secures Funding for Offshore Charging Solution for Autonomous Vessels

The Hague-based Wave Energy Collective (Weco) has recently announced its successful funding under the EKOO TSE Electricity 2024 program, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth’s Topsector Energiesubsidie initiative. This funding will drive the development of a renewables-driven offshore charging solution for autonomous vessels.

Known as the E-Sea Charging project, Weco’s latest endeavor aims to create a charging station that utilizes solar and wave energy to provide power for vehicles operating offshore. By focusing on enhancing the operational efficiency of autonomous systems such as drones, uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the initiative seeks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimize the need for human intervention in offshore operations.

Collaborating with Campusatsea, Lobster Robotics, DEMCON unmanned systems, Holland Shipyards Group, and Coastruction, Weco’s project is set to revolutionize offshore operations by promoting safety, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.

Milestone Achievement: Kaizen Wave Energy Converter

In a significant milestone reached in December 2024, Weco celebrated the successful development of its Kaizen wave energy converter (WEC), marking the device’s first power generation. This achievement was made possible through a strategic collaboration with Deltares, a renowned Netherlands-based research institute.