Wave energy prototype lifted

A custom-made 50 WLL lifting frame designed by Modulift was used for Mocean Energy’s new Blue X wave energy prototype first ever dip in to the cold waters of the North Sea.

Mocean Energyhas been working on turning their concept in to a reality for the past three and half years. The 20m long, 38t wave machine Blue X is a prototype design that was manufactured with funding from Wave Energy Scotland’s Novel Wave Energy Converter programme.

Blue X has now undergone it’s first wet testing, load tests and ballast testing at Rosyth with the help of Modulift. The Blue X has been recently transported to Orkney to undergo more testing at the European Marine Energy Centre.

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 sometime 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.”