Wave Goodbye to Diesel (WGtD)

Project Description

The ‘Wave Goodbye to Diesel’ (WGtD) project aims to offer a realistic cost-effective pathway to decarbonise the aquaculture sector using renewable energy.

The feed barge is an integral part of fish farming, which traditionally has been powered by diesel generators. Battery operated solutions are being deployed to enable a smoother operation of these diesel generators, however, the oceans that the surround the feed barges offers an opportunity to use this renewable resource and turn the diesel generators into back up altogether.

TFI Marine and Exceedence are applying their many years of RDD efforts to develop and deploy the ‘Gator System’ for fish barges to harness the power of the waves. The Gator System integrates into the existing mooring lines of the feed barge. At its heart is a novel, innovative, polymer spring that pumps pressurised seawater. This pressurised water is converted to electricity and stored in the onboard battery storage unit. Such an approach is especially suited to Irish salmon farm locations which are situated in high wave energy locations.

We are collaborating with MOWI Ireland to support their ambitious decarbonisation targets by 2030. MOWI Ireland are providing the site and the feed barge for deployment and testing of the Gator System.

This SEAI funded RDD project started in 2022. During this time we have undergone a number of fundamental upgrades in both approach and design. One thing remains clear: this is an innovative technology that is well suited for the needs of the aquaculture fish farms.

Some of the highlights so far in the project are:

• Modelling of the feedbarge mooring system in Orcaflex

• Designing the Gator System for feedbarge

• Published an article in the Aquaculture and Seafood Ireland Directory 2023 in September 2023, highlighting the importance of transitioning the sector to a climate neutral future

• All salmonoid fish farms around Ireland have been mapped based on location and wave resource.

• Polymer spring and metal work now fully certified through Aquastructures in Norway, who are one of the certification bodies for the NS9415 standard required for all aquaculture products

For more information please visit our website: www.exceedence.com/wgtd

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wave-goodbye-to-diesel/