Marine Power Systems (MPS) have confirmed that Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP) has been chosen for the deployment of a grid-connected commercial megawatt-scale device.
The site in the Basque Country, northern Spain, offers ideal deep water testing conditions and a direct connection into the electricity grid, according to the company.
The berth has been secured and a geotechnical survey of the site is being undertaken.
This represents a significant milestone for Marine Power Systems and the development of their unique and flexible technology as the business moves towards market readiness.
The business said it is already getting significant traction with a number of key partners and customers in the market.
This project is expected to prove the reliability and effectiveness of their technology at scale as well as support the certification process.
MPS says it is the only company developing optimal solutions for the entire opportunity covering floating wind, wave and combined wind and wave energy extraction technology in deep water.
All of the devices will be assembled and towed from port and they retain common deployment, anchoring and operation & maintenance solutions. This reduces the costs of ownership and maximises the energy generation cost effectiveness.
MPS undertook a rigorous benchmarking exercise across all of the possible sites prior to selecting BiMEP.
The Cantabrian Sea offers exceptional conditions for testing the effectiveness of new mechanisms and technologies for harnessing wind and wave energy.
Operating since 2015, BiMEP offers a restricted area with all the necessary supporting infrastructure to support deployment and monitoring of different concept designs before advancing to the full commercial phase.
BiMEP technical director Yago Torre-Enciso said: “BiMEP is delighted to have reached an agreement with Marine Power Systems, to carry out sea trials of their full-scale commercial demonstrator.
“In addition to being a validation of our all-year round location, it will provide us with an excellent opportunity to test the potential of wind and wave working together for the first time at BiMEP.
“We are very much looking forward to the opportunity this project will give us to contribute to the development and future implementation of their technology.”
MPS chief executive Gareth Stockman added: “The test site at BiMEP has ideal metocean wind and wave conditions in which to test and demonstrate our revolutionary technology, throughout the year and across all seasons.
“The project will also support further research and development around manufacturing and deployment at commercial scale.
“In addition, we have further exciting news to come in the forthcoming weeks and months of project developments both here in the UK and overseas.”