Energy major TotalEnergies has joined the Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) collaborative project which is currently powering subsea equipment off the east coast of Orkney, Scotland, with wave power from Mocean Energy and intelligent subsea energy storage from Verlume.
The £2million demonstrator initiative has connected the Blue X wave energy converter – built by Edinburgh company Mocean Energy – with a Halo underwater battery storage system developed by Aberdeen intelligent energy management specialists Verlume.
The fully operational project, which is in situ off the coast of Orkney, aims to show how green technologies can be combined to provide reliable low carbon power and communications to subsea equipment, offering a cost-effective alternative to umbilical cables, which are carbon intensive with long lead times to procure and install.
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company, active in more than 130 countries and committed to better energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible.
TotalEnergies, supported by their Ocean Energy R&D team based out of Pau, France, will now join project leads Mocean Energy and Verlume, alongside industry players Baker Hughes, Serica Energy, Harbour Energy, Transmark Subsea, PTTEP and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).
Joining RSP offers TotalEnergies access to all data and results from the extended test programme, taking place at a site 5km east of the Orkney Mainland. TotalEnergies will also be able to offer input to test plans and will be provided with a feasibility assessment of the use of RSP technology at a location of their choice.
It is anticipated that participation will support TotalEnergies’ activities both in the UK and overseas addressing the wider energy transition across their production and energy products, as it aims to become carbon net zero, together with society, by 2050.
Dave MacKinnon, TotalEnergies Technology, Data & Innovation Manager says:
“Our participation in RSP demonstrates how important it is to us to pursue new ideas and technology that will support the decarbonisation of our oil and gas production business, both here in the UK and across the world. We’re pleased to be participating and look forward to seeing the results of this collaboration.”
Ian Crossland, Commercial Director at Mocean Energy says:
“TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company and this new investment underscores the international interest in the potential of our combined technologies.
“TotalEnergies has a long history in Scotland and an incredible track record in offshore operations, and their experience will be extremely valuable as we begin to commercialise our Blue Star product line.”
Andy Martin, Chief Commercial Officer at Verlume added:
“Renewables for Subsea Power is capturing industry-leading project data as we demonstrate how Verlume’s Halo subsea battery storage can reliably power subsea equipment through being recharged by a wave energy device.
“It is fantastic that TotalEnergies recognises the value of this data and has come on board within RSP to share insights such as further use cases for this technology system.”
Mhairi Begg, Technology Manager at NZTC says:
“We are delighted to have TotalEnergies join the RSP project and it demonstrates the domestic and international potential of the technology, whilst marking a significant moment in the project’s success. The consortium is a prime example of how global collaboration can advance green technologies and foster technology deployment.”
The Orkney deployment is the third phase of the Renewables for Subsea Power project. In 2021, the consortium invested £1.6million into phase two of the programme – which saw the successful integration of the core technologies in an onshore test environment at Verlume’s operations facility in Aberdeen.
In 2021, Mocean Energy’s Blue X prototype underwent a programme of rigorous at-sea testing at the European Marine Energy Centre’s Scapa Flow test site in Orkney where they generated first power and gathered significant data on machine performance and operation.
Verlume’s seabed battery energy storage system, Halo, has been specifically designed for the harsh underwater environment, reducing operational emissions and facilitating the use of renewable energy by providing a reliable, uninterrupted power supply. Halo’s fundamental basis is its intelligent energy management system, Axonn, a fully integrated system which autonomously maximises available battery capacity in real time.
Ends
About TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in nearly 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.
About Verlume
Aberdeen-based Verlume is a leader in intelligent energy management and storage technologies for the energy industry. Founded in 2013, the company uses its core intelligent energy management and storage technologies to enable clean, resilient, and integrated energy systems.
Verlume’s award-winning Halo technology is a scalable, modular battery energy storage system with integrated intelligent energy management, specifically developed for clean energy delivery in the demanding underwater environment.
Verlume offers a suite of products and services across the underwater, offshore and onshore sectors, helping clients to reduce carbon footprint and decarbonise operations.
Find out more at: www.verlume.world
For more information, please contact:
Graceann Robertson
Marketing Manager, Verlume
graceann.robertson@verlume.world
+44 (0) 1224 933301
About Mocean Energy
Mocean Energy is committed to designing and delivering wave energy converters to provide ocean equipment and the grid with clean, carbon-free, renewable energy.
Unlike solar, wind, and tidal power, there are no commercially successful wave power devices today. With Mocean Energy’s expert team that combines scientific principles with real-world experience, a viable and cost-effective wave energy device is on the horizon.
For press queries, please contact:
Neil Davidson
PR Consultant to Mocean Energy
+44 (0) 7545 735402
About Net Zero Technology Centre
Net Zero Technology Centre was created as part of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, with £180million of UK and Scottish government funding to maximise the potential of the North Sea. Its purpose is to support and enhance the development and deployment of technology to accelerate an affordable net zero energy industry.
Since NZTC’s inception in 2017, it has advocated the role technology has in decarbonising the oil and gas industry, with more than £275million co-invested with industry in technologies from effective well plugging and abandonment, asset integrity to autonomous robotics and renewable power systems. NZTC has screened over 2,540+ new technologies, completed or progressed 175 field trials, over 35 technologies have been commercialised, 57 tech start-ups supported and helped generate £10-£15billion GVA potential for the UK economy.