A custom-made lifting frame designed by Modulift has been utilised to lower Mocean Energy’s Blue X wave energy prototype into the North Sea.
Mocean Energy has been working on the Blue X prototype for three-and-a-half years. The 20 m-long, 38-tonne wave machine was manufactured with funding from Wave Energy Scotland’s Novel Wave Energy Converter programme and has now undergone its first wet testing, load tests and ballast testing at Rosyth.
Cameron McNatt, managing director and co-founder of Mocean Energy, said: “Lifting is a critical operation for Blue X – the device is lifted on and off of transport, into and out of the water, sometimes over steep quaysides. And it is complex – Blue X is a hinged machine that can be lifted in two configurations. Modulift provided a fit-for-purpose solution and delivered not just the lift beam but also the rigging and helped in the design process.”
John Baker, sales director for under-the-jib equipment specialist Modulift, added: “Our custom design solutions are being used across all sectors for a wide variety of complex lifts and the one sector we really do enjoy is the wave energy industry. We have existing off the shelf products but we have found that a custom designed frame can be the best solution for lifts like these.”
The Blue X has been recently transported to Orkney to undergo more testing at the European Marine Energy Centre.
