The generation of commercial quantities of electricity from Irish wave power has moved a step closer with the signing of an agreement by Ireland’s leading wave energy development company, Ocean Energy Limited with one of the world’s leading turbine manufacturers, US multinational Dresser-Rand. The move endorses Ocean Energy’s technology and also boosts the Government’s alternative energy strategy.

Ocean Energy has successfully tested its quarter scale Ocean Energy Buoy over the last two and a half years at the Government’s test site in Galway Bay. It is the only device of its type to have undergone and survived such a rigorous testing including coping with a one in 40 year wave during the sea trials.

John McCarthy, Chief Executive of Ocean Energy said the turbine development and supply agreement with Dresser-Rand marks another major milestone in the development of wave power in Ireland.

“As testament to Dresser-Rand’s belief in the potential of the wave energy sector and to the Ocean Energy buoy in particular Dresser-Rand have a designated product development team specifically tasked to develop air turbines for devices such as ours. The nature of our agreement is that Dresser-Rand have agreed to develop and supply turbines for our devices. We are the only company in the world Dresser-Rand have entered into a development and supply agreement and we see this not only an endorsement of our technology but of the Irish Government’s development strategy for the industry,” said Mr McCarthy.

By combining their technologies and expertise, Dresser-Rand and Ocean Energy Limited will provide total energy solutions backed by Dresser-Rand’s global service network.

“Together we will be able to provide clients with a high level of confidence in the global wave energy market which is estimated to be worth €200 billion per annum. There will also be the added benefit of creating thousands of Irish jobs as well as providing much needed solutions to our energy and greenhouse gas problems,” said Mr McCarthy.

Dresser Rand are world renowned turbine manufacturers, with roots dating back to 1840. The company has a market capitalisation of $2.5 billion and has 62,000 turbines operating in over 140 countries. Dresser-Rand are major players in the oil and gas market and have the most extensive global service and support organisation in their sector with over 6,000 employees and service centres in seventeen countries.

Mr McCarthy concluded: “To have their support for our company is a significant endorsement of our technology by a company with such pedigree.”

Dresser-Rand Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Brad Dickson said: “When our UK subsidiary, Dresser-Rand Company Ltd., acquired certain assets of Peter Brotherhood Ltd. last year, it expanded our renewable energy capabilities. The company has considerable experience in steam turbine systems for combined cycle and cogeneration, and waste-to-energy, among other applications. But one of the most interesting technologies is the patented air turbine – the HydroAir turbine – specifically targeted at the oscillating water column (OWC) or “wave energy” market. Marine renewable energy is becoming part of the renewable energy mix. Capturing just five percent of this theoretical global resource could satisfy 25 percent of the current global electricity consumption of 18,000 TWh/year. Our HydroAir turbine’s unique energy recovery system can be applied to offshore, near-shore and on-shore applications.”

Mr Dickson added: “Dresser-Rand is proud of its history and its continuing commitment to responsibly meeting global energy demands. And we’re excited about the opportunities ahead. We’re helping our clients improve their process efficiencies, meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and increase energy capacity worldwide…all the while remaining focused on the environment.”

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