After the pilot testing of the first system, the two companies will evaluate the possibility of installing other generators in various marine environments
Roma, June 19th, 2013 Enel Green Power, a world leader in renewable energy generation, and 40South Energy, a group of highly innovative companies operating in the field of marine energy at the international level, today began the installation and commissioning of a first R115 generator, with a nominal capacity of 150 kW and installed capacity of about 100 kW, generating electricity from the energy produced by the waves of the sea around the Tuscan islands, at Punta Righini (Castiglioncello).
The new generator - designed and built by 40South Energy ensures full integration into the marine environment and ease of maintenance, and according to initial estimates will enable the generation of about 220 MWh per year, enough to meet the needs of over 80 households. INTERVIEW WITH FRANCESCO STARACE, CEO EGP.
The generation of marine energy is an especially effective solution in cases where it is difficult to connect to the electricity distribution grid, as is the case, for example, of islands.
40South Energy Srl, the Italian division of 40South Energy, will handle the installation and commissioning of the machine, whose submarine assembly will be completed in the coming weeks. The company, based in Pisa, will also provide ordinary and extraordinary maintenance services.
After testing and assessment by the partners of the performance of the system in the marine environment, Enel Green Power plans to strengthen collaboration with 40South Energy on the international stage.
In fact, in addition to the sale of the first R115 generator to the Enel renewables company and technological cooperation on testing, the agreement envisages the possibility of installing more generators in different marine environments.
The installation of this first device to exploit wave motion to generate electricity increases the already broad spectrum of technologies available to Enel Green Power - hydro, solar, wind, geothermal and biomass - a feature that, together with geographical diversification, makes Enel Green Power unique at the global level.
Enel Green Power is the Enel Group company fully dedicated to the development and management of renewable energy sources at the international level, with operations in Europe and the Americas. The company generated more than 25 billion kWh in 2012 from water, sun, wind and the Earths heat - enough to meet the energy needs of approximately 10 million households and avoid the emission of over 18 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Enel Green Power is a world leader in the sector thanks to its well-balanced generation mix, providing generation volumes well over the sector average. The Company has an installed capacity of more than 8,000 MW from a mix of sources including wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass. Currently, EGP has over 700 operational plants in 16 countries in Europe and the Americas.
40South Energy is a group that designs, manufactures and markets wave energy converters. Founded by Michele Grassi in 2007, the group is currently present in 3 countries: in the UK, with 40South Energy Ltd, the parent company and offices in London and Plymouth, in Pisa (Italy) with 40South Energy Srl, and in Palo Alto (California) with the recently-founded 40South Energy Inc. The parent company primarily carries out research and technological development and commercial promotion activities, while the Italian company mainly conducts research and technological development and builds and tests prototypes. In 2012, the group established a cooperative relationship with the University of Plymouth in England and designed the first commercial R115 model with a nominal capacity of 150 kW. The first customer for the machine was Enel Green Power. The group is also undertaking, either directly or through local partners, the authorization process for wave energy parks in England, Italy, India and many other countries.
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