UK: MPS Rules Waves at EEEGR Innovation Awards

A wave energy device pioneered by a business launched only four years ago won the EEEGR Innovation Awards 2013.

There were wild cheers from the small team at Marine Power Systems (MPS) as its WaveSub innovation took the title at a gala dinner attended by 160 delegates at the Holiday Inn, Norwich North.

Two small scale prototypes have already been used to test WaveSub which directly harnesses wave orbital energy flow and can automatically adjust to optimum depth or protect itself by dropping safely below stormy seas. It is also easy to transport and install, making it highly cost effective.

The special Low Carbon Award was won by Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) for its innovative use of a wave glider for ocean surveys.

Weatherford’s Rapid Close Ram System, designed to isolate offshore wells rapidly in emergencies such as blow-outs, was runner-up in the main awards – which attracted a record entry.

Dr Graham Foster, MPS technical director, said the WaveSub’s success could not have better timed as they sought investment for full-scale trials.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. Winning this award means so much more to a small start-up business like ours. It could be 3-4 years before we are ready to go commercial when we hope the device will be bought and used by utility companies.”

MPS is headquartered in Swansea but recently took an office at OrbisEnergy, the offshore renewables hub in Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Managing director Dr Gareth Stockman and Laurence Castle – who has helped the company with its business plan and development – earlier in the day helped present the WaveSub concept to judges and the audience who all had a chance to vote for their favourites.

The award to Cefas was for its use of a Liquid Robotics Wave Glider to remotely monitor the sea with an array of sensors to measure pollution, acidification, algal blooms, oxygen and other data for science and industry. Dr Jo Foden, for Lowestoft-based Cefas, said afterwards that their success was a “lovely surprise” and a great boost for a team which included Tom Hull and Dave Sivyer

Robert Hunt, of Weatherford, said they were delighted with the recognition and exposure for their patented design which uses an innovative hydraulic closure mechanism to shut rams up to ten times faster than conventional systems. “It’s been a great team effort from a small part of a big company and we’re delighted to shout it from the rooftops,” he said.

Simon Gray, EEEGR CEO, said the finalists did the East of England proud for their pioneering ideas and groundbreaking technology.

Mark Pendlington, group director for Anglia Water and board member of New Anglia LEP was guest speaker at the dinner.

Judges for the awards were: chairman John Balch of Nautilus Associates; Bill Cattanach, DECC; William Jones, IP21; Paul Rijks, University of East Anglia; and John Knowlden, KTIB. Compere was Johnathan Reynolds, head of business development for OrbisEnergy.

[mappress]

Press release, September 20, 2013; Image: tms-media