We are to further our development of
renewable technologies by becoming the first utility to trial a wave power device at a marine testing centre in Orkney.
As part of a three-year trial into wave power, we will install a 750 kilowatt Pelamis device at the European Marine Energy Centre; the only grid connected marine test facility in Europe.
The Pelamis 2, being trialled for the first time anywhere, resembles a massive floating articulated snake – it is 180 metres long.
As the waves move the separate sections, pistons running between them turn generators.
Amaan Lafayette, marine development manager at E.ON, said: "This is an incredibly exciting project that we hope will contribute towards the commercialisation of this technology, both in the UK and in the rest of the world.
"We recognise that much work has to follow before we can be certain that marine energy will fulfil its potential but the success of this device will give us the confidence to move to the next phase of commercialisation which is larger arrays around the UK coastline."
