Dutch company tests wave energy converter in ‘world’s largest’ wave simulation facility (video)

The Hague-based Wave Energy Collective (Weco) is set to test its wave energy converter (WEC) at the Delta Flume in Deltares.

According to Weco, Delta Flume in Deltares is one of “Biggest in the world“wave simulation devices with a length of 300 meters, a depth of 7 to 9.5 meters and a width of five meters, capable of generating waves up to 4.5 meters high.

The facility is important for research into coastal engineering and renewable energy solutions, Weco said in a social media post. This enables the Dutch company to test scaled versions of WEC and validate assumptions and models.

“Anyone who has been on the ocean has seen the power of the waves. At Weco, we are developing a wave energy converter that will produce electricity as a result of the movement of these waves. So instead of a vertically moving device, we have a horizontally moving device that can generate electricity twice as efficiently – it’s a very lightweight system.” he said Cas van de VoortCo-founder of Weco.

“We imagine that in the future our wave energy converters will be installed between wind turbines in wind parks to take advantage of unused space, as well as benefit from the infrastructure already built there.”

This approach has several advantages: high efficiency, easier assembly, the use of an anchor to moor like ships, unlike traditional WECs which require a large concrete block to absorb vertical forces, and the fact that the device can be built much lighter because it does not require a large volume for buoyancy, Weco said.

“Right now we are in the midst of the biggest energy transition in history, moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and we are largely reliant on solar and wind energy, and by adding wave power – one of the largest untapped resources today, we diversify and stabilize our supply energy,” he saidLuc HogervorstCo-founder of Weco.