Wave Energy Scotland has commenced the ‘sustainable dismantling’ of its Pelamis P2 prototype (P2-001) wave energy converter, which was acquired by WES following the bankruptcy of Pelamis Wave Power in 2014.
During its two-year testing period, the device provided 15,000hr of valuable data, which the organisation is now evaluating.
As the planned test programme was completed over two years ago, WES is now dismantling the device, recycling or re-using components where possible. The Orkney firm Green Marine will complete the dismantling operation by 30 April.
The remaining Pelamis Wave Power device (P2-002), which was previously owned by Scottish Power Renewables, has been sold to EMEC, which is currently looking at ways to use it as a development tool.
Tim Hurst, managing director of Wave Energy Scotland, said: “Pelamis was an important breakthrough in the development of wave energy converters, creating a wealth of knowledge and experience about technology development and operational management.
"Wave Energy Scotland’s programme aims to build on that success and create a winning technology for the future.”
In a separate development, Arup has been commissioned by Wave Energy Scotland to examine how wave-energy developers can make the structural design of their devices more robust.
The London-based consultancy will look into analysis tools and the processes suitable for structural design of wave energy converters, providing recommendations and best practice for future projects.
Cruz Atcheson Consulting Engineers (based in Portugal) will also work on the project to investigate the methods suitable for analysing the structural forces and stresses experienced by wave energy devices.