Global energy company TotalEnergies has entered into CorPower Ocean’s Pilot Access Program, marking a significant step toward assessing CorPower’s wave energy converter (WEC) as a potential solution for decarbonization initiatives.
CorPower Ocean’s WEC is an anchored system designed to harness energy from ocean waves. The innovative technology converts wave motion into rotational energy through a gearbox and then transforms it into electricity using generators housed within the buoy.
As part of the Pilot Access Program, TotalEnergies will gain valuable insights into CorPower Ocean’s wave technology and its operational capabilities through the HiWave-5 pilot located at the Aguçadoura site in northern Portugal.
The pilot program will involve the collection of operational data on the first full-scale C4 WEC device in Stage 4. Subsequently, a CorPack wave cluster demonstration in Stage 5 will feature three additional C5 WEC devices. A CorPack cluster offers a comprehensive solution for generating electricity from ocean waves, encompassing WECs, moorings, anchoring systems, intra-cluster cabling, and an electrical collection hub for power export.
TotalEnergies anticipates that its participation in the CorPower pilot will contribute to the company’s broader energy transition goals, aligning with its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Engaging in the Pilot Access Program enables TotalEnergies to access comprehensive data, results, and operational insights from the extended test program taking place in northern Portugal. The collaboration aims to validate the technology’s maturity, instill confidence in system reliability, and mitigate risks associated with the technology and its operations. This partnership is expected to enhance confidence in cost projections, resulting in more accurate techno-economic assessments.
TotalEnergies, leveraging its expertise in offshore installation, maintenance, and operations, will also provide valuable insights to test plans, further strengthening the collaborative efforts between the two companies.
CorPower Ocean’s wave energy technology, developed and verified since 2012 through a rigorous five-stage process, represents a promising avenue in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
TotalEnergies, a global player in the energy sector, operates in nearly 130 countries, producing and marketing a diverse range of energies, including oil, biofuels, natural gas, green gases, renewables, and electricity.