BAE partners with Aquamarine Power to deliver clean energy

BAE systems is working with tidal wave energy developer Aquamarine Power

Defence company BAE Systems has partnered with wave energy developer Aquamarine Power to deliver cheaper, cleaner energy to households.

The project is worth almost £1m and has been subsidised by a £450,000 grant from the Technology Strategy Board.

Under the partnership, engineers at BAE Systems, which is usually involved in the design, repair and maintenance of complex naval systems, will work with Aquamarine Power to develop an intelligent diagnostic system and remote ballasting mechanism.

Together the two companies claim these innovations will drive down maintenance costs and help maximise energy production. The firms hope the project will pave the way for this technology to be rolled out on a commercial scale to establish Oyster clean energy farms around the world.

“In working with Aquamarine Power, we are helping to pioneer commercial clean energy solutions that will help the UK meet its ambitious climate change targets,” said Kevin McLeod, engineering director at BAE Systems’ surface ships division.

Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board, added: “The UK is well placed to exploit wave and tidal stream energy resources with all the coastline we have, and it is expected this kind of technology will be an important part of the renewable energy mix needed in the future."