The Scottish Government has commissioned the Arup consultancy to support two wave power energy studies aimed at exploring the potential of new materials that could improve the efficiency of energy generation from tidal waves.
As the world moves towards more sustainable energy sources – in face of the considerable environmental, social and economic damage of continuing to leverage fossil fuels – a number of options are being explored and developed, including, among others, wind, photoelectronic effect (solar), and tidal and other forms of wave power and ocean energy.
The first study – which is being undertaken with Cruz Atcheson, Sea Power, Wello and British Precast – considers the potential for concrete to become the main structural material for wave energy conversion devices, with the goal of potentially delivering a big drop in the levelised cost of wave power electricity
The second study – supported by Cruz Atcheson – will assess the potential for reinforced polymers as part of energy conversion devices.
Jacob Ahlqvist, Arup project manager, said: “We are focused on finding a step-change solution for energy conversion devices to help wave power reach its potential – both off the coasts of Scotland and worldwide.”
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