Wave Energy Scotland Unveils Innovative Cluster Design for Offshore Renewable Energy

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) recently introduced a groundbreaking concept design for a multi-megawatt cluster of wave energy converters (WECs) aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in offshore renewable energy production.

The innovative design involves clustering multiple wave energy devices into a single moored and electrically connected unit. WES believes that this approach offers several advantages, including increased capacity density on the seabed, reduced need for moorings and tethers, minimized dynamic cabling, and enhanced offshore operations and maintenance.

According to economic modeling conducted by Offshore Wind Consultants on behalf of WES, co-locating wave energy with floating offshore wind developments could lead to significant cost savings.

Tim Hurst, Managing Director of WES, stated, “Clustering wave energy converters could be a key solution for wave energy array deployments and an attractive option for co-location with floating offshore wind farms. This cluster concept offers a potential path for commercializing wave energy and will be used to engage with stakeholders across the offshore renewable energy sector.”

As floating wind projects progress into deeper waters with stronger wave conditions, such as the ScotWind leasing zones, wave energy could leverage shared infrastructure and supply chains, making deployment more feasible.

Testing at the University of Edinburgh’s FloWave facility indicated that closely spaced WECs do not experience significant performance losses, leading to the collaboration between WES and UK-based engineering firm Blackfish Engineering Design to develop a practical cluster arrangement.

Tim Warren, Operations Director at Blackfish, commented, “The cluster concept project offered a fascinating challenge for Blackfish, and it was great to work with WES to explore this topic in more detail. The creative innovation process yielded plenty of ideas and concepts so that Blackfish could use our marine engineering expertise to assess these in more detail. We were very pleased to be able to develop a viable cluster concept that considers the major topics of spacing, manufacturing, and O&M.”

A report commissioned by WES projected that Scotland’s tidal and wave energy sector could deliver over £8 billion ($10 billion) in economic benefits and create more than 15,000 jobs by 2050, assuming the country maintains its leadership position in marine energy.

In a parliamentary debate in January, UK Members of Parliament (MPs) advocated for stronger government support to bolster the growth of the country’s marine energy sector. They emphasized the necessity for increased funding and policies to ensure the UK retains its global leadership in marine renewables.