Page 23 - Industrial Plant 2020

Sabella currently has several ongoing initiatives in areas and no of moving component ever comes into contact
like Southeast Asia (the Philippines and Indonesia in with sea water.
particular), North America (Canadian Bay of Fundy), to The Penguin is only partially visible above water, thus
mention just a few. Saipem is acting as the technology producing no audible disturbance and float outside the
integrator to ensure that, together with Sabella, it can wave-breaking zone. It is therefore in perfect harmony
grasp a significant number of opportunities and deliver with the environment. It is kept in position through a
them according to the highest safety and quality simple mooring system securely fixed to the seabed.
standards. Some of the key advantages of the technology over
against Wella’s competitors are:
1. Off the shelf components
Wello Oy 2. Can be manufactured by any shipyard.
Wello Oy is a Finnish company established in 2008 with 3. Towed to site
whom Saipem signed a collaboration agreement in 4. Simple installation on site
2019. Its wave energy converter (WEC) technology, 5. High efficiency thanks to its direct conversion
also nicknamed Penguin, is amongst the most 6. Easy to operate and service
developed in the wave energy sector and has been 7. Continuously connected and monitored and
tested in the harsh environment of the Orkney Islands hence can be operated remotely.
since 2012. Wello has recently launched its second 8. Proven durability having resisted waves as high as
generation of wave energy converter, WEC2, while the 18 meters.
third generation (WEC3) is currently under study. The
advance in their device has been made possible Saipem can further contribute to the optimization of the
thanks to the large amount of data collected during the technology by providing its know-how to improve the
years of operation. mooring system of Wello’s Penguin, to simplify
fabrication and, finally, to enable better motion response
Wello’s Penguin is amongst the most resulting in a more efficient energy production. Saipem’s
developed wave energy converter support is of paramount importance to make the
technology even more attractive for possible clients
The asymmetrical shape of the Wello Penguin’s hull who could then purchase and operate the converter.
creates a gyrating motion which pushes the rotating Wello technology can also be applied as an energy
mass inside the device with each passing wave. The source/provider for Oil&Gas platforms with the aim of
converter turns it directly into electrical power, reducing their energy consumption hence the platform’s
immediately transferred to the grid by a sub-sea cable; CO2 emissions. This is a similar concept to what GemStar
this direct conversion makes the Penguin a more Equinor is doing on the Tampen Hywind project, where
capable system than those offered by other offshore floating wind platforms are used instead of
competitors. The Penguin has no hydraulics or joints, wave energy converters. All of this represents an

IndustrIal Plants - May 2020
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