UNDIGEN+: UNDIGEN Marine Autonomous System

The consortium corresponding to the UNIDGEN Project (MINECOIPT- 2011-1770-920000), led by the technology company Wedge Global, S.L. has developed and is in the final phase of testing the marine functionality of a wave energy converter with an innovative electrical generation system, which, in turn, is potentially suitable for different types of Wave Energy Converters – WEC – (Vertical and Pendulum Point Absorbers and Oscillating Water Column, among others).

Without prejudice to the potential of this innovative electricity generation solution in a purely energetic use, the possibility of applying this technology in an autonomous aspect is also configured, i.e. as a platform for the installation of equipment for measuring the marine environment with the aim of addressing a potential industrial-commercial development as soon as possible.

It is worth highlighting Wedge’s approach to wave power generation from the outset, focusing and prioritising the PTO as the key part of the overall conversion system (WEC), since this key component can modify the properties of the collector, which in turn is configured as a direct conversion system that eliminates intermediate stages and therefore provides greater reliability and associated useful life, together with a significant reduction in the operating and maintenance costs of the WECs.

Consequently, the main objective of the project is to carry out the aforementioned action in order to be able to use the renewable energy generated for the autonomous power supply of the equipment installed in the collector. This equipment can be of various types, coastal surveillance equipment, communications equipment, marine environment research equipment, etc. together with the effective characterisation of the marine environment for this purpose from a global perspective.