Pelamis Wave Energy Converter

The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter was a wave power device built from semi submerged cylindrical sections joined by hinged, flexing joints that moved relative to each other as waves passed along its length; that motion drove hydraulic cylinders that pumped high pressure oil through hydraulic motors, which in turn powered electrical generators, an arrangement sensitive to wave curvature rather than height, letting it work even in relatively small waves. The Scottish company Pelamis Wave Power, originally called Ocean Power Delivery, developed the device, and in 2004 a 750 kilowatt prototype became the world first offshore wave power machine to feed electricity into the grid, following testing at Scotland European Marine Energy Centre from 2004 to 2007. In 2008 three first generation P1 machines were installed at the Agucadoura Wave Farm in Portugal, creating the world first wave farm built from more than one machine, and two improved second generation P2 machines were tested in Orkney between 2010 and 2014; Pelamis Wave Power ceased operations in November 2014, and its intellectual property passed to the Scottish body Wave Energy Scotland.