Swedish company NoviOcean has launched a 1 MW hybrid energy converter that combines wave, wind, and solar power to produce 3.5 GWh annually per unit, enough to supply electricity to approximately 1,050 households.
This floating system harnesses 650 kW from wave power, 300 kW from six vertical-axis wind turbines, and 50 kW from solar panels. NoviOcean claims its output is four times greater than any other proven ocean energy concept.
Following the successful testing of a 1:5-scale prototype, the company has progressed to stage four of development, aiming for Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7. This stage includes full-scale sea trials of a 1:1 prototype by 2027, with plans to reach TRL 8 by 2029 through a pre-commercial array and move toward commercialization by 2032.
NoviOcean expects to deploy 500 MW of contracted capacity by 2030 and scale up to 10 GW by 2050. If these projections are met, the technology could significantly contribute to the EU's ocean energy targets of 1 GW by 2030 and 40 GW by 2050.
A New Approach to Hybrid Ocean Energy
The NoviOcean platform, which measures 124 feet in length, generates 30 MWh per ton and is designed to operate continuously in 90% of sea conditions. Its wave energy converter leverages buoyancy forces and uses shared mooring and subsea cable systems to reduce construction and deployment costs. It’s also the only wave energy system using a rectangular floating platform capable of lifting 600 tons in 4-meter waves.
Underneath, a hydraulic cylinder connects to Pelton turbines, which convert the vertical motion of waves into rotational energy. NoviOcean claims an average capacity factor of 40% in moderate wave environments, potentially reaching up to 70% in optimal sites—outperforming typical solar and matching offshore wind farms.
Due to its compact design, the NoviOcean unit occupies less sea space than conventional offshore wind turbines and has a weight-to-power ratio half that of floating wind platforms, allowing for more efficient use of ocean real estate.
Beyond electricity generation, NoviOcean’s system could support off-grid and industrial applications such as reducing diesel consumption on oil platforms, supplying power for desalination plants, and providing clean energy to ports and coastal facilities.
How It Works
The system captures wave energy by utilizing the vertical motion and pressure of ocean swells. As a wave lifts the platform, it moves a hydraulic cylinder downward. When the wave crests and the platform reaches its lowest point, a valve closes, locking the position relative to the seabed and trapping 600 cubic meters of air underwater to create pressure.
As the wave retreats, the valve reopens, allowing the pressurized water to flow through a Pelton turbine connected to a generator. This produces electricity as the turbine spins. The underwater cylinder remains stabilized on a fixed piston and rod to maintain pressure balance.
Performance tests with a 1:6 prototype in 13-foot waves showed a net wave energy output of 650 kW, outperforming other wave power systems.
Market Potential
NoviOcean is targeting a wide range of customers. Offshore wind farms could integrate their units to enhance energy output and reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by 12%. In the future, NoviOcean aims to offer modular upgrades including battery storage, hydrogen generation, and water desalination capabilities.