Green power ‘grasping squid’ set for big switch-on
THE power of the waves that crash onto Scotland’s shores is to be harnessed for the first time later this week to produce electricity.
A revolutionary new device – that mimics the action of a grasping squid – will create renewable energy that could help to power homes and businesses across the country.
WaveNET, the world’s first commercial wave energy system, made by Midlothianbased firm Albatern, goes live on Tuesday off the coast of Ardnamurchan, Argyll.
Its floating network of six interconnected ‘Squid’ units will power a large salmon farm – with all excess energy flowing straight into the National Grid.
The machines bob up and down in what the designers call ‘a three-dimensional Mexican wave’ to absorb the rolling motion of the sea and transform the hydraulic energy into electrical power.
Albatern commercial director David Campbell revealed the idea behind the system was first tested in a household bath.
The firm has had interest from investors as far away as China but hopes to expand its operations in Scottish waters first. Mr Campbell said: ‘It has been a long journey from when the idea was first conceptualised in a bathtub back in 2007 to now but we are delighted to be the first company to successfully show how to harness wave power.
‘It is the largest untapped resource on the planet and we hope this will be the first of many WaveNETS. If it was allowed, wave power could generate at least a fifth of the UK’s energy requirements.
‘There is huge potential right down the West Coast of Scotland, where there are lots of waves. The Mingary Bay WaveNET array off Ardnamurchan has the potential to generate up to 45kw of power. At night, when the salmon farm is closed, all energy will go into the National Grid. Waves don’t stop at night.
‘Also, unlike wind farms, wave systems are hidden from view, which is a major advantage in areas where tourism is vital to the economy.’