Nova Innovation wins second subsea connector contract
Thursday 16 July 2020
Tidal energy company Nova Innovation has won a second contract with Wave Energy Scotland (WES) to deliver its innovative subsea electrical connector.
To harness the immense power of our seas – from both tidal and wave energy – a reliable and cost-effective solution for subsea electrical connections is essential. Nova’s MECmate product, a connector linking subsea cables and/or devices, is tailored to meet the demanding requirements of the marine energy environment.
Nova Innovation Engineering Director Gary Connor said, “We are delighted to work with Wave Energy Scotland to deliver a subsea electrical connector to be used by clients in marine energy, floating offshore wind, oil & gas, and aquaculture.
“As a marine energy developer ourselves, we know the critical importance and value of having a robust and cost-effective solution for the maritime economy.”
Nova is one of the few companies in the world to successfully install and operate marine energy devices, including the world’s first offshore tidal array in Shetland. The company has identified a commercial opportunity for its MECMate product in marine energy and adjacent markets.
Tim Hurst, managing director of WES said, “Connecting and disconnecting devices quickly and remotely will increase safety in offshore operations, and the wider potential for these technologies is significant across offshore and subsea applications.”
Nova’s new wet-mate connector will enable subsea electrical connections to be made quickly and cost-effectively in a wide range of sea conditions. It builds on Nova’s existing connector, used in all three of Nova’s turbines in the Shetland Tidal Array, which has proven 100% reliable through tens of thousands of operating hours.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said, “This announcement represents an important step forward for Scotland’s world-leading wave energy sector. We believe that wave energy offers tremendous economic potential and can play an important role in Scotland’s response to the global climate emergency.
This contract award follows the successful delivery by Nova of its previous project with WES. It also follows a string of recent commercial successes for Nova, including international contract wins in Canada and Europe, and demonstrates the wider, transferable applications of Nova’s technology into adjacent energy and blue economy market