Wave energy to power subsea equipment demo off Orkney

Mocean Energy and Verlume, alongside other consortium partners, have initiated a demonstrator project named Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) to power subsea equipment with wave power and subsea energy storage. The project aims to provide reliable low-carbon power and communication to subsea equipment, which offers a cost-effective alternative to umbilical cables. The project will test the Blue X wave energy converter, developed by Mocean Energy, and the Halo underwater battery, developed by Verlume, in the seas off Orkney, Scotland.

The Halo battery energy storage system has been designed for the harsh underwater environment, allowing for the use of renewable energy. The system is based on an intelligent energy management system, Axonn, which maximizes available battery capacity in real-time. 

The minimum four-month test program will provide low carbon power and communication to infrastructure, including Baker Hughes’ subsea controls equipment and a resident underwater autonomous vehicle provided by Transmark Subsea, who are also consortium partners in the project. 

The project has received EUR2.3m (US$2.47m) in funding and is expected to reduce operational emissions while facilitating the use of renewable energy.