The official signing was made by Willem Steenge, Managing Director of IHC Tidal Energy, and Manon Janssen, Managing Director of Ecofys. Wave Rotor technology, which will be managed by the newly established company IHC Tidal Energy, enables IHC Merwede to further secure its position in the renewable market.
With this acquisition, IHC Merwede has secured highly developed knowledge and the patented Wave Rotor technology. In contrast to most tidal turbines, the Wave Rotor is vertically oriented. It converts power from tidal currents and wave motion directly into electricity. The technology isa patented innovation from Ecofys that has been developed over the past ten years and successfully demonstrated in a 30kW pilot plant in the Westerschelde. After the Wave Rotor was developed, it was brought through the pre-commercial stage by OceanMill. The company proved that the technology has enormous potential and is commercially viable. IHC Tidal Energy has set its goal to successfully bring the acquired technology to market, enriching the world with proven tidal and wave energy converters.
IHC Merwede has been active in the renewable energy sector for decades. The market for tidal and wave technology is relatively new, but IHC Merwede foresees a significant growth of activities in Europe, North America and Asia.