Belgian wave-energy developer Laminaria (www.laminaria.com) has completed the tank testing of a 1:30 scale model of its 200kW wave energy converter (WEC) at Plymouth University.

The device was put through its paces and demonstrated its survivability in extreme sea conditions. It incorporates a load management mechanism and a storm protection system.

During the tank tests, the WEC endured the equivalent of wave heights of up to 16m. Production of the full-scale device is now under way; it should be deployed at EMEC’s Billia Croo wave test site later this year.

Laminaria’s CEO, Steven Nauwelaerts, said: “With the completion of the latest tank testing, we are confident that our WEC will be able to handle the challenging wave resource at EMEC — and more.”