Wave Hub
The Wave Hub is a groundbreaking renewable energy project to
create the UK’s first offshore facility to demonstrate the
operation of arrays of wave energy generation devices.
Many different devices are being developed in the UK and
elsewhere to generate electricity from the power of the
waves. After the devices have been tested as prototypes
elsewhere, the Wave Hub provides an area of sea with grid
connection and planning consent where arrays of devices can be
operated over several years.
Wave Hub Design
The infrastructure involves the sub-station building at Hayle
adjacent to a connection point to the distribution network.
From there, a cable will be taken through a duct beneath the sand
dunes and then across the sea bed to an eight square kilometre area
within which the devices will be moored. This area will be
indicated with navigational markers.
The system will operate initially at 11kv but can be upgraded to
33kv operation once suitable connectors and other components have
been developed by the industry.
Energy developers
The project will work with up to four different technologies at
any one time. A 1km x 2km sea area will be leased to each
developer for installation from 2010 onwards. Leases
will run for approximately five years, and will allow each
developer to generate a maximum of 4-5MW of power. The Wave
Hub will record the strength of the incoming waves and will enter
into a power purchase agreement on behalf of all developers using
the project.
The Wave Hub is currently inviting approaches from wave
technology developers wishing to install devices from 2010
onwards.
Construction Programme
Consents for the project were granted in September 2007.
Following completion of funding negotiations in July 2009, orders
have now been placed for the sub-sea cable and installation is
expected in the spring and summer of 2010.
For more information on the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF), please see the European
Commission website.
