USTPO approves patent for WaveRoller®
AW-Energy Oy, the world-leading Finnish wave energy technology developer, has taken another major step towards commercialising its WaveRoller® device.
Company has announced the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued an “approval” for AW-Energy’s patent application covering its WaveRoller® technology.
The patent [PCT/050485] provides AW-Energy with broad IP protection of its latest generation WaveRoller® device including a range of operating improvements made to the device’s system and infrastructure, particularly on failsafe operating improvements to protect against extreme weather conditions.
Jussi Åkerberg, CTO of AW-Energy Oy, said:
“This is a significant and exciting decision by the USPTO, and we view this announcement as recognition of AW-Energy’s important contribution to the growing number of renewable energy and sustainable power generation devices that are needed globally to reduce the climate change challenges we face. We are committed to leading the way on wave energy technologies that change the way utilities and power generation companies can supply tomorrow’s sustainable power solutions for our homes and our businesses. Industry and its customers are the beneficiaries of these innovations, particularly our leadership in wave energy supply solutions.”
Today AW-Energy is among the top few technology providers whose level of development meets the requirements of commercial energy projects such as ongoing developments in Portugal, Ireland, France, UK, Chile, in South East Asia and the US. Its WaveRoller® device is increasingly being favoured as a ‘plug-in’ solution to harness the energy which can be extracted from wave power. Certification by DNVGL and Lloyd’s Register, has qualified the technology to mitigate risks and is making the technology bankable for large utility customers in US as well as across Europe and Asia. Its power unit can easily be adapted to meet customer requirements for different types of grids.
WaveRoller® technology also makes it possible to capture energy independently from feeding power to the grid, which then enables customers to tailor the grid support function such as frequency regulation.
The USTPO Patent Approval for WaveRoller® provides further reassurance of AW-Energy’s approach on protecting the commercial opportunities for its technology and offshore energy expertise.
About WaveRoller
The WaveRoller is a device that converts ocean wave energy to electricity. The machine operates in near-shore areas (approximately 0.3-2 km from the shore) at depths of between 8 and 20 meters. Depending on tidal conditions it is mostly or fully submerged and anchored to the seabed. A single WaveRoller unit (one panel and PTO combination) is rated at between 350kW and 1000kW, with a capacity factor of 25-50% depending on wave conditions at the project site. The technology can be deployed as single units or in farms.
