This Hybrid Energy Raft Could Power 1,000 Homes Daily With Wave, Wind, And Solar

A Swedish renewable energy company, NoviOcean, is making headlines in the clean energy sector with its innovative Hybrid Energy Converter (HEC). The HEC is designed to harness the combined potential of wave, wind, and solar power, producing twice the energy per sea area compared to conventional offshore wind systems. The integration of these renewable sources reduces the overall levelized cost of energy (LCOE) early in the lifecycle of the plant.

The company highlights the HEC’s modular design, which is made from proven components. This ensures ease in production, installation, and maintenance while keeping its environmental footprint low. With a higher power-to-weight ratio than offshore wind turbines, NoviOcean positions itself as a leader in hybrid renewable energy technology.

“Our NoviOcean machine maximizes renewable energy by combining wave, wind, and solar power in a single solution, ensuring energy generation even when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing. Each unit can power over 1,000 households a day,” said Jan Skjoldhammer, the founder and CEO of NoviOcean.

NoviOcean has secured recognition for its efforts, winning the German Startup4Climate competition in the autumn of 2023 for its innovative wave power plant. The company aims to scale up this technology, collaborating with offshore wind farms to build hybrid plants that leverage multiple renewable sources for increased efficiency. The hybrid approach of combining wave, wind, and solar impressed the competition’s jury due to the way each element complements the other, ensuring a more stable and reliable energy supply.

The NoviOcean wave power plant itself is a marvel of engineering. Resembling a 38-meter-long rectangular raft, it uses a water-filled cylinder that connects to the seabed with a piston rod and cable. This allows the raft to stay aligned with the waves, anchored securely in position. Above the raft are six vertical wind turbines capable of generating 300 kW, supported by solar panels that contribute an additional 50-80 kW. Altogether, the system delivers a combined output of around 1 MW, with an average capacity factor of 40 percent.

This wave energy system operates much like a garden pump, utilizing the natural rise and fall of the raft to pump water through a Pelton turbine, which in turn generates electricity. Tested both in controlled environments and real-world settings near Stockholm, the system has proven its viability in powering homes, such as those on Svanholmen island.

NoviOcean’s strategy of deploying 15 wave power plants within a one-square-kilometer area could yield 15 MW of energy—significantly more than the 10 MW typically produced by offshore wind farms within the same space. By combining these technologies, the overall energy generation could rise to 25 MW, all while sharing costs related to sea area and transmission infrastructure. The firm emphasizes that the hybrid solution produces energy more consistently, with wave power sustaining generation long after wind speeds have decreased.

Looking ahead, NoviOcean is preparing to launch a full-scale pilot project and is seeking €12 million in funding to reach this goal. The company is also actively pursuing partnerships with offshore wind farms, particularly in regions outside Sweden where wave and wind conditions are more favorable.