French wave energy developer Seaturns has completed sea trials of its wave energy technology at the IFREMER test site in Brest, France, moving a step closer to commercialization. The company is now gearing up for full-scale testing in 2025.
In collaboration with IFREMER, Seaturns deployed a 1/4-scale prototype at the Saint-Anne du Portzic test site in October 2023, exposing it to real-world marine conditions. The trials, conducted over 18 months in two phases , involved testing a simplified system before integrating an air turbine for electricity generation, Seaurns said.
The energy produced was transmitted to shore via an export cable. According to the company, the prototype endured exposure to waves, wind, tides, corrosion, bio-colonization, and extreme weather conditions, including storm Ciarán, where wave heights reached the equivalent of 15 meters at full scale.
Looking ahead, Seaturns said it plans to deploy a full-scale prototype at the SEM-REV test site, managed by the OPEN-C Foundation in the Pays-de-la-Loire region of France. The trials will assess system performance under offshore conditions.
“The prototype withstood all weather conditions: corrosion, bio-colonization, as well as weather conditions, including storm Ciarán, with waves reaching the equivalent of 15 meters at scale 1,” the company stated.
Seaturns designed its wave energy converter (WEC) focusing on cost efficiency, streamlined offshore installation, ease of maintenance, and minimal environmental impact. The company aims to reduce production and operating costs compared to existing wave energy technologies.
According to Seaturns, its technology harnesses ocean wave motion to generate electricity. The system consists of a cylindrical WEC, anchored using a patented solution that converts horizontal wave movement into a pitching motion. Inside the WEC, a water pendulum and air chambers create airflow that drives a turbine coupled to an alternator, producing electricity.
“The prototype’s development is based on five pillars: A rational design for optimal integration at sea. Optimized manufacturing to reduce costs. Simplified installation to facilitate deployment at sea,” said Seaturns.
“Easy maintenance to ensure fast, efficient servicing and, finally, an environmental impact that is more respectful of the environment than fossil fuels. These strategic choices will significantly reduce production and operating costs compared with competing technologies.”
In January 2024, after validating its technology in European wave basins at a small scale, Seaturns progressed to the next stage by starting tests on a 1:4-scale prototype at the Ste Anne du Portzic site in Brittany, France.