A custom-made 50 WLL lifting frame designed by Modulift ensured that the Mocean Energy’s new Blue X wave energy prototype could take it’s first ever dip in to the cold waters of the North Sea. Mocean Energy, one of the key players in the wave energy industry, have been working on turning their concept in to a reality for the past three and half years. The 20-metre long, 38-tonne wave machine (Blue X) is a prototype design that was manufactured with funding from Wave Energy Scotland’s Novel Wave Energy Converter programme. Blue X has now undergone it’s first wet testing, load tests and ballast testing at Rosyth with the help of Modulift. The Blue X has been recently transported to Orkney to undergo more testing at the European Marine Energy Centre.
Cameron McNatt, Managing Director and Co-founder of Mocean Energy, said of the heavy lift that took place, “Lifting is a critical operation for Blue X – the device is lifted on and off of transport, into and out of the water sometime over steep quaysides. And it is complex – Blue X is a hinged machine that can be lifted in two configurations. Modulift provided a fit-for-purpose solution and delivered not just the lift beam but also the rigging and helped in the design process. We are extremely grateful for Modulift’s support throughout Blue X launch programme.”
