Scarcity of resources, climate change
For our future, let’s turn to the sea
Technology
Project
With a technically exploitable potential estimated at several thousand TWh/year, wave energy converters (WECs) have a strong development potential. About 10% of the world's annual electricity demand could be met with wave energy production.
Taking into account the learnings from existing wave technologies and the various barriers to their commercial development, Seaturns has defined five research objectives:
- Minimise the levelized cost of energy (LCOE),
- Ensure a high level of reliability and survivability to withstand severe sea states,
- Efficiently capture different types of swell,
- Facilitate installation and maintenance operations at sea,
- Minimise the cost and frequency of maintenance interventions.
To harness wave energy and convert it into electricity, Seaturns has developed a breakthrough wave energy solution based on an innovative anchoring system. This concept has been patented in France and internationally (Australia, China, Europe, South Africa and USA).
The developed technology is based on the principle of an internal water pendulum oscillating in a cylindrical floater. It is a simple, compact and robust solution, with reasonable dimensions.
Several markets are targeted: grid electricity production, supply to industrial sites and off-grid areas.
Progress
Tank tests | Nantes | 2024
In April 2024, Seaturns is testing a farm in the wave and ocean engineering basin of the LHEEA Centrale Nantes, the Laboratoire de recherche en Hydrodynamique, Énergétique et Environnement Atmosphérique at École Centrale de Nantes. Following on from the tests carried out in 2023, Seaturns is validating the 1/15-scale multi-floaters configuration for future offshore wave farms. Analysis focuses on the performance and survival of 5 floaters installed on the same mooring line, a significant new step in the development of this innovative wave technology.
This tank tests phase is part of the wider IAS-WEC project, which won in July 2023 the i-Nov competition organised by Bpifrance and ADEME. It is financed by the French government as part of France2030 and by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan.
Sea trials | Sainte-Anne du Portzic | 2023-2025
In October 2023 Seaturns starts sea trials on a 1/4-scale demonstrator. It is installed at Ifremer’s sea trials site in Sainte-Anne du Portzic near Brest (France).
These tests are being conducted in partnership with Ifremer and will last until early 2025. They will validate the performance and reliability of a prototype in a marine and operational environment.
This sea trials phase, which is a strategic part of Seaturns’ roadmap, is part of the wider IAS-WEC project, which won in July 2023 the i-Nov competition organised by Bpifrance and ADEME. It is financed by the French government as part of France2030 and by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan.
News
Membership of Ocean Energy Europe
16/05/2024
Seaturns becomes a member of Ocean Energy Europe, the largest global network of ocean energy professionals.
Membership of Syndicat des énergies renouvelables
16/05/2024
Seaturns becomes a member of Syndicat des énergies renouvelables, which represents all the renewable energy sectors in France.
Gender equality plan
Equal access to employment
Encourage application of women through:
- Equality considerations in recruitment processes and opening all jobs to men and women
- Promote equality through all internal and external communications (ex: encouraging women to apply at all Seaturns presentations)
- Gender equality promotion programs membership
2024 YTD results:
- 1 female hydrodynamics engineer recruited in 2024
- Top management job opened to women and Board advisor position
- Promotion done through presentations such as WEAMEC webinar
- Women In Tech network membership
Performance evaluation and career progression
Guarantee equal opportunities for men and women in evaluation, promotion and career development
2024 YTD results:
- All evaluations performed, with no gender discrimination
- Career planning on-going
Work-life balance
Reconcile work and private life:
- Offering flexible working options (flexible hours, asynchronous work, and remote options)
2024 YTD results:
- 1 employee working flexible hours and ad’hoc remote & asynchronous options