Swansea-based Marine Power Systems (MPS) has installed its prototype WaveSub wave energy converter at the FaBTest facility in Cornwall (a nursery site for marine renewable-energy devices), where it is going through the final stages of on-site commissioning, before energy generation tests begin.

It was towed from Milford Haven to Falmouth (pictured) by Leask Marine after being launched onto open water at the start of this year and undergoing tow tests, submergence tests, installation of the mooring system, and assembly and commissioning of the PowerBuoy (see Machinery Market 14 June, page 30).

The WaveSub will now enter the final phase of on-site commission-based testing before being connected to the PowerBuoy for in-depth energy generation tests in a range of sea conditions.

The preparations for sea-based testing follow a decade of R&D for WaveSub, supported by funding from a range of organisations including the Welsh government and the European Regional Development Fund.

At full scale (100m long), each 5MW WaveSub will be able to power about 5,000 homes.

Graham Foster, chief technology officer at MPS (www.marinepowersystems.co.uk), said: “The successful installation of the WaveSub at FaBTest is another positive result for us, sitting within a suite of tests we have been running over the first half of this year.

"The energy generation trials will take us further along the path to full-scale manufacture and commercial roll-out.”

Gareth Stockman, CEO of MPS, said: “The UK’s wave sector is currently world-leading. MPS believes that —with continued support and investment — wave energy can grow to become a new source of low-carbon power, as well as being a significant contributor to the UK’s fast-growing renewables economy.”