Vattenfall invests further in Swedish wave power research
Vattenfall is investing a total of SEK 13 million in a project within the basic research programme of Uppsala University in Sweden to develop wave power technology. The project aims to study and evaluate the generation of energy from the motion of sea waves at a research installation in Skagerak, located approximately 2 kilometres west of Lysekil on the west coast of Sweden.
Vattenfall is currently active on several fronts to help curb climate change. Several more renewable energy resources will be needed and wave energy will be an important piece of the puzzle to reduce Europe’s carbon dioxide emissions. Vattenfall is at the leading edge of research and development in this field and is now continuing its initiative with Uppsala University to develop wave power technology in Sweden.
“Vattenfall is one of several organizations funding the project and their support is vital for driving Swedish wave power research forward. The research installation outside Lysekil is an exciting project with considerable future potential,” says Mats Leijon, Professor of Electricity at Uppsala University and initiator of the research installation.
Vattenfall is now deepening its co-operation with Uppsala University in basic wave energy research and to investigate the potential of wave energy technology in Swedish waters. The objective in the coming years is to study and evaluate energy production at a research installation in Skagerak, located approximately 2 kilometres west of the Islandsberg peninsula in the municipality of Lysekil. The Islandsberg research area has been granted a permit for ten generators that will be deployed on a gradual basis up to 2009. The project involves a total investment of SEK 50 million and Vattenfall, which has previously invested SEK 4 million, will now invest an additional SEK 9 million in basic research linked to the research area. Other companies and organizations funding the project include the Swedish Energy Agency (Statens Energimyndighet), Swedish west-coast power producers Göteborgs Energi and Falkenberg Energi, and a number of suppliers and manufacturers.
The initiative within wave energy research is designed to support the EU’s objective that European countries are to obtain 20 per cent of their energy from renewable resources by the year 2020. The United Kingdom and Ireland have recently announced major investments in the wave power area to facilitate the introduction of new energy solutions. Vattenfall is closely following these international initiatives with great interest as part of the company’s involvement in efforts to promote sustainable development.
Within the framework of Vattenfall’s wave energy programme, launched in the autumn of 2006, the company is evaluating different wave power technologies, the environmental impact of wave power plants, the economic conditions, network questions and localization issues.
“To meet the climate challenge, we must review all our options and especially renewable energy. Wave power is part of Vattenfall’s long-term development work and we hope to learn more about the technology by participating in this research project,” says Karl Bergman, Head of Research and Development at Vattenfall.
For further information, please contact:
Karl Bergman, Head of Research and Development, Vattenfall, telephone: +46 (0)8-739 54 01
Mats Leijon, Professor of Electricity, Uppsala University, telephone: +46 (18)-471 58 08
Maria Parent, Media Relations Manager, Vattenfall, telephone: +46 (8)-739 65 50.
From Vattenfall's Press Office, telephone: +46 (0)8-739 50 10.