Scotland’s Green Ocean Energy says the economics of both offshore wind farms and its ‘Wave Treader’ device are enhanced by their cooperative potential, as they can share costs on infrastructure and installation.

Each ‘Wave Treader’ machine generates around 500 kilowatts, and will be ready for full-scale tests next year.

Based in Aberdeen, Scotland, Green Ocean Energy began developing the device after securing £60,000 ($86,670) in funding from a development fund set up by nPower, a subsidiary of Germany utility RWE.

Helen Steed, of nPower’s ‘Juice’ fund for wave and tidal development, says nPower is delighted with the Wave Treader’s results thus far.

“The device is the first of its kind, and shows tremendous potential in utilising existing off-shore infrastructure to generate clean renewable energy.”