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The Ondas de Peniche (ONDEP) project has secured an impressive €19 million in funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe program. This breakthrough project is set to deploy a cutting-edge 2 MW wave energy array, featuring four state-of-the-art WaveRoller energy converters.
Kicking off in October 2024, the ONDEP project will run for 5.5 years, with the wave farm in Peniche, Portugal – renowned for its vibrant surfing scene – becoming a hub for wave energy innovation. The pilot farm will be connected to the grid, continuing to generate clean electricity for an additional eight years beyond the project's official completion. This marks a monumental step towards harnessing wave energy on an industrial scale, a potential game-changer for renewable energy.
According to Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, “Wave energy is the largest untapped renewable resource in the world. The ONDEP project is poised to be among the first pilot wave farms globally, advancing this new industry to an industrial level. It will pave the way towards a zero-carbon future.”
ONDEP is not just about technological advancements; it’s about creating a robust European supply chain that will support the deployment of large-scale wave energy farms across the continent and beyond. Over the next five years, the project will tackle technical challenges and ensure the reliability and scalability of this innovative technology, helping pave the way for wave energy's industrialisation.
Looking ahead to 2030, ONDEP envisions the creation of 11 wave energy farms across eight countries on four continents, with a cumulative capacity of 83 MW. By 2035, the project aims to achieve an LCOE (levelized cost of energy) of under €100/MWh, potentially creating up to 500,000 jobs and solidifying Europe’s leadership in renewable energy.
“We’re excited to work alongside our partners in this collaborative effort to build a new industry in Europe,” said Christopher Ridgewell, CEO of AW-Energy, the lead technology provider for the project. With decades of work behind the development of WaveRoller technology, the ONDEP project represents the culmination of their efforts.
Coordinated by Queen’s University Belfast, the project brings together 14 leading partners from across Europe, including Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, and the UK. These institutions and companies will combine their expertise to address every aspect of the wave energy value chain.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for both research and development in wave energy technology,” said Dr. Pal Schmitt of Queen’s University Belfast. ”As a centre of excellence, we are eager to contribute to the project’s success and the broader advancement of the renewable energy sector.”
With ONDEP leading the charge, Europe is set to make waves in the global push for sustainable, zero-carbon energy solutions!
More details here- https://aw-energy.com/ondep-project-secures-e19m-eu-funding-to-deploy-waveroller-array-in-portugal/
