What is Mocean Energy’s Wave Energy Project?
Mocean Energy is all about designing and delivering wave energy converters that bring clean, carbon-free, renewable energy straight from the ocean to offshore equipment and the grid. Their technology isn’t just about waves — it cleverly combines solar power and battery storage to create an integrated solution. This hybrid system is perfect for powering subsea operations that traditionally rely on costly and carbon-heavy seabed umbilical cables. Based in Scotland but operating globally, Mocean’s innovation lies in a software-optimised shape that cranks out 2 to 4 times more power than earlier designs. Their Blue Star product, proven over 18 months of at-sea testing, provides reliable kilowatts of power and communications for offshore equipment. Meanwhile, the Blue Horizon is their large-scale ocean energy tech, designed for wave farms, ports, islands, and other big energy needs.
Main Benefits of Mocean Energy’s Technology
Here’s why Mocean Energy’s wave power tech is making waves:
- Harnessing just 1% of global wave power could supply over 50 million homes
- Potential to save more than 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually
- Blue Star device is commercially ready, powering subsea control systems, ROVs, and autonomous underwater vehicles
- Blue Horizon targets grid-scale power generation through offshore wave farms
- Blue Star and Blue Horizon designs improve performance by up to 300% compared to traditional hinged rafts
- Over £5 million in funding secured from Scottish, UK, and EU governments
- Blue X prototype completed 18 months of successful sea trials, providing rich data for further development
Innovative Technology Behind the Wave Energy Converters
Mocean Energy’s wave energy machines are not your average ocean gadgets. Their unique hinged raft design features a geometry that boosts performance dramatically — up to 300% better than traditional hinged rafts. Plus, these rafts can dive through the largest waves, increasing survivability in some of the harshest marine environments on Earth. The team uses a mix of numerical modelling, optimisation, rapid prototyping, and tank testing, all backed by real-world ocean experience. This approach ensures the machines deliver high power output relative to their size and can withstand tough conditions offshore.
Development Journey: From Blue X to Blue Star and Blue Horizon
The journey began with the Blue X prototype, funded with £3.3 million from Wave Energy Scotland. Installed off the coast in spring 2021 at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Blue X was a major milestone — it generated power and collected valuable performance data over 18 months of sea trials. This data fed directly into the development of two core technologies: the commercially ready Blue Star and the larger-scale Blue Horizon. Blue Star is already powering subsea equipment reliably, while Blue Horizon is being optimised for utility-scale wave farms. The Blue Horizon isn’t just a bigger Blue Star; it’s a carefully optimised design that balances power generation, cost, and commercial constraints.
Collaborative Efforts and Industry Partnerships
Mocean Energy’s work is supported by strong collaborations. In spring 2021, they joined the Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) initiative, which demonstrated how wave energy combined with underwater energy storage can power subsea equipment continuously. The project received grant funding from the Net Zero Technology Centre and contributions from partners like Harbour Energy, Transmark, Serica Energy, Baker Hughes, and Verlume. The RSP project wrapped up successfully in 2024, showcasing the potential of integrated wave, solar, and battery storage systems to provide reliable power and communications to subsea assets.
Project Impact: Linking to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – advancing renewable ocean energy solutions
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – developing cutting-edge wave energy technology
- SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuel-based subsea power systems
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – promoting sustainable use of ocean resources
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – collaborating with industry and government partners to accelerate clean energy adoption
Looking Ahead: The Future of Ocean Renewable Energy
Mocean Energy is pushing the boundaries of what ocean renewable energy can achieve. With their Blue Star device already commercially ready and the Blue Horizon in advanced development, the future looks promising for wave energy’s role in the global clean energy mix. Their hybrid approach, combining wave, solar, and battery storage, offers a flexible and reliable power source for offshore and subsea operations. As the world races toward net zero, innovations like these will be key players in decarbonising industries and powering the Blue Economy sustainably.
