A scale prototype of Green Ocean Energy’s Ocean Treader wave energy generator will be unveilled on the opening day of the All Energy exhibition in Aberdeen tomorrow (20th May). Ocean Treader, a stand-alone, fully floating device designed for offshore ocean deployment, is one of two wave energy generators developed by the company. The other device, the Wave Treader, attaches to an offshore wind turbine to provide combined wind and wave energy.

George Smith, Managing Director, said: "Interest in our technology has mushroomed since the results of our feasibility test into Wave Treader were announced earlier this year. We are actively in discussions with a number of energy companies and financial backers with a view to installing a full scale prototype early next year. Commercialisation of Wave Treader is anticipated by 2011.

"This is a really exciting time for the renewable energy sector with a range of new technology being pioneered. It’s great to see so many Scottish companies right at the forefront of the sector and I look forward to discussing our technology in more depth during All Energy."

The devices developed by the company comprise a sponson at the front, a spar buoy in the centre and a second sponson at the back. As the wave passes along the device first the forward sponson lifts and falls and then the spar buoy lifts and falls slightly less and finally the back sponson does the same. The relative motion between these is harvested by hydraulic cylinders mounted between the tops of the arms and the spar buoy. The cylinders pressurise hydraulic fluid which in turn spins motors that generate electricity. Each device can generate up to 500KW of electricity which, given their compact size, compares favourably with other devices in the marketplace.

The scale prototype is currently undergoing testing at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Blyth, Northumberland and also at the wave tank at the University of Strathclyde. The results of the latest round of testing are expected to be announced next month.