Harnessing the ocean
Andrew Parish, Chief Executive, Wavebob Limited
Another company whose approach has gained
international acclaim is Wavebob, which is
recognized as a global leader in the development of
commercial ocean wave energy systems.
Wavebob is a world leading, privately owned,
technology company, with headquarters in Ireland
and subsidiaries in the UK and the USA. The
company was established in 1999 to develop
innovative technologies for the conversion of
ocean wave energy to useful power. Following
substantial investment in research and development,
Wavebob is now considered the ‘best in class ’ for
its technology and since 2006 has been testing fully
functioning, autonomous, seaworthy prototypes on
the Atlantic coast of Ireland.
Chief Executive of Wavebob, Andrew Parish
describes the opportunity thus,
A little known fact is that Ireland’s sea territory is
ten times that of its land territory, encompassing a
space the size of Germany. Were Ireland to develop
the ability to harness this ocean resource to generate
clean electricity, Ireland would become the Saudi
Arabia of ocean energy.
Two companies are currently flying the flag for
Ireland on the international scene with regard to
this sector. Open Hydro has had considerable
success, finalising the world’s first official sale of a
wave turbine to the government of Nova Scotia.
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“Harnessing the limitless power of the unending
supply of energy in the world’s oceans to convert
it to electricity, will open up a multi-billion dollar
opportunity. Wavebob has become a world leader in
the conversion of ocean energy into electricity and
has been recognized and supported by companies
such as Chevron, Vattenfall and Lockheed Martin.”
A robust development track record has resulted
in significant third party endorsement and
the financial support of the Irish, UK and US
Governments and the European Commission.
With routes to market secured in each of its chosen
market sectors Wavebob is unique in its approach to
the commercial exploitation of this nascent market.
The wave energy sector is certainly one to keep
abreast of.