IHES Project Update: the WAVEGEM hybrid platform launched and inaugurated

IHES Project

The IHES project was initiated in 2015 by Geps Techno, a company located in the Pays de la Loire region, based on its own technology for harvesting wave energy from floating structures. The project has two components:
 

• The development of a ship stabilization system with energy recovery, the prototype for which has been on board Ifremer’s Thalassa ship since September 2016.
• The development and demonstration of an autonomous platform, called WAVEGEM, and the production of a prototype measuring 21m x 14m and 7m high, with installed capacity of 150 kW. Testing will be carried out at sea, on the Centrale Nantes SEM-REV site: the French multi-technology test site off the coast from Le Croisic.

The prototype was developed by a consortium of partners: Geps Techno, IFREMER, Centrale Nantes, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, Blue Solutions, SNEF and ICAM.
 

WAVEGEM PLATFORM

The WAVEGEM platform is used to demonstrate the technology under operational conditions and to develop design tools, particularly numerical models that will optimize tomorrow’s products. Innovation is present throughout programme: hybrid energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors), controlled stabilization, regulation without mechanical sensors etc.

WAVEGEM was therefore launched and inaugurated prior to commencing 18 months of sea trials on the Centrale Nantes SEM-REV multi-technology test site in early 2019. It will be secured on site with a four-point synthetic line mooring system. This new technology will join the floating wind turbine FLOATGEN, present on site since spring 2018.

IHES was one of the projects selected in the first FORESEA call for projects. FORESEA is a European funding programme, which helps bring offshore renewable energy technologies to market by providing access to offshore test sites.

WAVEGEM CONSTRUCTION IN PICTURES

 

WAVEGEM KEY FIGURES

• 3 series of tests conducted in ocean tanks
• 18 months of sea trials on the Centrale Nantes SEM-REV site
• 5 months of construction  
• 200 tonnes
• 5 000 m2 of paint
• 15 000 hours of production work undertaken by regional companies
• 6 turbines
• 68 m2 of solar panels
• 150 Kw installed capacity
• 21m x 14m x 7m

PROJECT TIMELINE

• October 2015 - BPI France funding secured  
• January 2016 - Project launch          
• April 2016 - 1st series of tests in ocean tanks
• October 2016 - 2nd series of tests in ocean tanks
• April 2017 - 3rd series of tests in ocean tanks       
• May 2017 - Basic platform design          
• March 2018 - Industrial studies 
• June 2018 - Construction of floating platform starts
• October 2018 - Construction of floating platform complete
• November 2018 - Painting  
• 5 December 2018 - Launch
• 18 December 2018 - Inauguration ceremony
• 2019 - Sea trials on the Centrale Nantes SEM-REV site