CorPower Ocean has partnered with subsea composite specialist Diab for the construction of its first commercial-scale wave energy device.
The ocean energy developer is currently fabricating its next generation C4 device, with dual build-out operations in Sweden and Portugal.
The device will be part of the flagship HiWave-5 project and will ultimately join a four-system wave energy array, located off the coast of Agucadoura in Portugal.
CorPower Ocean said it is now nearing completion of the first commercial scale hull at its Portuguese base in Viana do Castelo, following several months of process characterisation on one-quarter scale models.
The site is also demonstrating the firm’s ‘mobile factory’ concept designed to enable rapid roll-out of wave energy converter hulls in port facilities near wave energy sites across the globe.
A key element to the hull’s sandwich structure involves the core material which provides strength and stiffness, the company said.
Produced by Swedish firm Diab, the Divinycell H grade material brings benefits including high strength, durability and impact resistance combined with light weight and buoyancy performance properties.
CorPower Portugal Managing Director Miguel Silva said: “Diab’s technology is an ideal match for our composite hull structure, meeting all requirements with relevant certifications.
“The Divinycell H sandwich composite is particularly well suited to WEC devices being designed specifically to withstand major fatigue, slamming and impact loads.
“Other important features include excellent adhesion strength and chemical resistance, with low water absorption and strong thermal insulation.”
During its partnership with CorPower Ocean, Diab provided structural engineering support, including analysis of loads and stresses exposed to the hull, to ensure the correct selection of core materials and laminates for the composite structure.
Diab segment manager Lars-Magnus Efraimsson said Divinycell H has a proven track record in virtually every application area where sandwich composites are employed, including the marine, land transportation, wind energy, civil engineering and general industrial markets.
He said: “We are pleased to be expanding our portfolio in the subsea sector working with a fellow Swedish outfit and one of the leading wave energy developers.
“It’s always a pleasure to work with firms like CorPower Ocean which share our passion for innovation, as we continually explore new ways to improve our offering and make our clients’ products stronger, lighter and smarter.”