Wave Energy Scotland has started dismantling its P2 prototype wave energy converter built by defunct developer Pelamis Wave Power.
The work is taking place in Orkney using the local supply chain, with Stromness marine service company Green Marine set to complete the operation by 30 April.
The dismantling operation will involve dissection of the steel tube sections and assessment of the components.
Some will be retained for further testing, the steel tubes and some components will be sold as scrap, and some contaminated components will be disposed of.
The ‘sea snake’ device, secured at Lyness pier, is 4 metres in diameter, 180 metres long and approximately 1350 tonnes in weight including equipment and ballast.
The Pelamis P2-001 was acquired by WES following its bankruptcy in 2014 and was formerly owned by Eon. During its two-year testing period the device provided 15,000 hours’ worth of valuable data, which WES is now analysing.
WES director Tim Hurst said: “Pelamis was an important breakthrough in wave energy converter development, creating a wealth of knowledge and experience about technology development and operational management.
“While Pelamis was a significant milestone in the industry, Wave Energy Scotland’s programme aims to build on that success and create a winning technology for the future.”
The remaining Pelamis device – the P2-002 – which was previously owned by Scottish Power Renewables has been sold to EMEC.
EMEC is currently looking at ways to employ the P2-002 for future learning opportunities within the industry, and is exploring options to use their device, which is also currently based at Lyness, as a test rig.
Image: P2 device (Pelamis Wave Power)
