As Japan pushes for a stronger focus on offshore renewable power generation, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has entered into an agreement with Wales-based marine energy developer Bombora Wave Power to identify wave energy potential across the region.
The Japanese line has completed a detailed internal technical review of Bombora’s mWave™, which is a wave energy converter.
MOL and Bombora are now progressing to the second phase of their collaboration which will involve identifying potential sites for mWave™ energy projects in Japan and the neighbouring regions.
“In addition, our partnership will analyse the opportunity to combine with offshore wind farms by adding wave energy, using mWave™ in Japan and other regions,” according to a statement released by the line.
It says it will work to minimise the environmental impact of its business activities and aims to achieve sustainable net-zero GHG emissions.
The rapid growth of the marine renewable energy sector represents a new opportunity for MOL, and it is anticipating there will be a significant demand for vessels involved in the construction and ongoing operations across the marine energy sector. The collaborative project with Bombora will contribute to mitigating its environmental impact while driving new and sustainable business growth opportunities across the region, the statement points out.
The membrane-style wave energy converter developed by Bombora is located 10 metres below the ocean’s surface, similar to a fully submerged reef. The Fixed Bottom mWave™ is completely invisible from the shoreline. As ocean waves pass over mWave™, the membranes deflect, pumping air through a turbine to generate electricity. Electricity is directly transferred to shore via a submerged cable.
