CorPower Ocean, a specialist in wave energy technology, has secured funding for its new generation of high-efficiency WECs, that are inspired by the pumping principles of the human heart.
Advanced control technology allows large amounts of energy to be harvested using small, low-cost devices and the design maximises durability, boosting survivability in the harshest ocean conditions.
The funding round was led by Midroc New Technology, with additional investment from ALMI Invest Greentech, EIT InnoEnergy and a group of private investors.
Proceeds will be used to demonstrate the first commercial-scale WEC within CorPower’s HiWave-5 project – and for the long-term development of supply and service capacity for commercial wave energy farms.
The equity funding, which is combined with public investments that co-fund the program, will support CorPower’s pan-European efforts in Sweden, Portugal, Scotland and Norway.
CorPower Ocean CEO Patrik Möller said: “This funding package marks another significant milestone in the firm’s mission to introduce a new class of certified and warrantied WEC products. We are pleased to see continued strong support from investors who share our vision of bringing reliable and competitive wave energy technology to the world, unlocking one of the largest untapped sources of clean energy on earth.”
The HiWave-5 demonstration project aims to convert CorPower’s wave technology into a bankable product by 2024, by proving the survivability, performance and economics of a grid-connected array of WECs in northern Portugal. This will unlock mainstream renewable project financing for commercial array projects developed by their customers.
This funding announcement comes shortly after CorPower released plans for a new $18.1 million R&D, Manufacturing and Service Centre in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The site will become a core focus for the HiWave-5 project with a showcase pilot wave farm planned in Aguçadoura.
Ingvar Eriksson, BCO of EIT InnoEnergy Scandinavia, said: “We have supported CorPower since 2012 and are happy with the progress made to this point, having proven the principles and physics of the technology at sea.
“InnoEnergy has evaluated many ocean energy technologies and found CorPower advancing to a leading position in the race to make it a mainstream energy source. We look forward to the continued journey and are convinced that CorPower can play a significant role in the evolving sustainable energy mix and contribute to the European decarbonization targets.”
Andreas Gunnarsson of Midroc New Technology said: “CorPower keeps delivering on targets and their prudent step-by-step approach brings credibility to the sector. This technology definitively has the capacity to make the world a better place and we are happy to see more and more of leading utilities and project developers engaging.”
Markus Hökfelt of ALMI Invest Greentech said: “We see wave energy as a key technology in the transition to a 100% renewable electricity system. Wave energy can become a balancing source that enables high penetration of renewables with the lowest possible system cost.”
