A custom-made 50 WLL lifting frame designed by Modulift was key in being used to ensure that 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.

Blue X being lifted Using Modulift's Custom-Made Lifting Frame  
Blue X being lifted Using Modulift's Custom-Made Lifting Frame  

Mocean Energy, a key player in the wave energy industry, who have been operating since 2015; 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, a technical expert and manufacturer in the heavy lifting industry, based in Poole, Dorset in the UK. 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.”

John Baker, Sales Director for Modulift said, “It was great to work with Mocean Energy on this project and the crucial test lifts. We’re happy that we were part of it. Our custom design solutions are being used across all sectors for a wide variety of complex lifts and the one sector we really do enjoy is the wave energy industry. We have existing off the shelf products but we’ve found that a custom designed frame can be the best solution for lifts like these.”

Modulift already have a presence in the wave energy industry but hope to expand and work with more experts in the field to help ensure more heavy lifting projects go to plan.