A five year wave-power research partnership has been agreed between the Wave Power Research Group at Queen's University Belfast, and Aquamarine Power Limited, it was announced today (9th February). Under the agreement Aquamarine and Queen's will work together to develop the next generation of the Aquamarine's Oyster® wave power device.

Aquamarine's R&D team will work closely with the Queen's team to model several devices in the state-of-the-art wave power tank at Queen's virtual test centre, which is reputed to be one of the world's leading wave power engineering centres. The team will monitor loading, survivability and how the devices interact with each other to guarantee continuous power output in all sea states.

The partnership will also provide the company with access to a second, larger wave tank due to open at the Queen's Portaferry facility later this year. The Portaferry facility will allow the team to test the effects of multi-directional waves, realistically simulating the full range of sea conditions which the devices will experience once deployed in a multi-MW, utility scale wave farm.

Martin McAdam, Chief Executive of Aquamarine said: “I am delighted to announce Aquamarine's continuing relationship with Queen's world-leading team. Professor Trevor Whittaker is an award-winning expert in wave energy research. He and his group have tested and deployed more devices in their time than any other research facility in the world.

"This agreement creates a fantastic opportunity on two fronts. Firstly it provides Aquamarine with access to the University's world-class wave power test facilities, enabling Aquamarine to continue to enhance the design of Oyster® as a market leading technology, and as importantly, gives us access to the brightest PhD students in this field."