French developer GEPS Techno has launched the construction of its wave energy platform prototype that will be tested at the SEM-REV marine renewables test site, off the western coast of France.
The construction start follows the first stage of fundraising campaign, completed in April 2018, where the Saint-Nazaire-based company secured €1 million.
Built as part of the Integrated Harvesting Energy System (IHES) project, the 150kW device will be tested at SEM-REV for 18 months, GEPS Techno informed.
The manufacturing of the platform began in Saint-Nazaire earlier in June by GEPS Techno’s long-standing partners.
Namely, Mécasoud has been entrusted with hull manufacturing, while STX France will be in charge of painting and quality control.
SNEF Group will be taking care of the device outfitting, and Entech Smart Energies for energy conversion, GEPS Techno informed.
This type of platform is intended for oil & gas, marine renewable energy, mining and aquaculture sectors.
According to the company, another €1 million is expected to be secured in September via fundraising, which will complemented by the additional €1 million of R&D grant funding from Bpifrance.