Sweden: Minesto Strengthens Management and Product Development with New CTO from Volvo

Nordic marine energy technology leader Minesto, with a marine power plant that is able to cost efficiently produce electricity from low velocity tidal and ocean currents, has appointed Dr. Heije Westberg as the company’s new Chief Technology Officer.

Dr. Heije Westberg has previously been Manager for the Department of Energy Conversion at Volvo Technology AB and Technology Advisor for Energy Efficiency & Environment within Advanced Technology & Research at Volvo Group Trucks Technology. She has also been the chairman of Volvo Key Technology Council for Emerging Technologies, and she is currently the Deputy Chairman and Member of Division IV of The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences.

Dr. Heije Westberg has a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry from University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology.

At Minesto, Heije Westberg will be Chief Technology Officer, CTO, and responsible for the company’s research and product development. She will take a key role in the management group and as such also involved in operational decisions. Dr. Heije Westberg has pronounced strategic and organising abilities with a proven ability to build and manage highly skilled teams of researchers and engineers.

Minesto has developed a marine energy power plant called Deep Greenfor cost efficient electricity production from low velocity tidal and ocean currents. The power plant is currently undergoing offshore testing in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, as a part of the commercialisation of the technology.

“I look forward to working with Minesto and the company’s many talented employees,” said Dr. Heije Westberg. “It is exciting to work with new technology that can make a big difference in the transition to a greener world. Deep Green is a highly promising product that I believe will play a major role in future global renewable electricity production.”

Sweeping underwater kite

Deep Green resembles a sweeping underwater kite, comprised of a wing and a turbine, which is secured to the seabed with a tether and moves with high speed in an 8-shaped path in the tidal or ocean current. Deep Green produces 100% renewable tidal energy.

Compared to other traditional and renewable energy sources, tidal and ocean current energy is considerably more predictable and reliable and causes no visual impact and positive environmental impact. Marine energy from the world’s ocean has huge potential. Deep Green, with its low weight and ability to operate in low velocity currents, has several advantages compared to other tidal and ocean current power plants: the catchment area is much larger, and service and maintenance is more cost efficient, resulting in low electricity production costs, comparable with traditional energy sources.

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Press release, August 7, 2013; Image: Minesto