Dieseko Group and CorPower Ocean Join Forces on VibroDrive+

Dieseko Group and CorPower Ocean have entered into a strategic consortium agreement to launch VibroDrive+, a joint research project aimed at improving offshore anchor design and installation efficiency. The project, supported by €400,000 Eureka Eurostars funding, will combine advanced vibro hammer technology with next-generation anchor concepts to drive smarter and more sustainable offshore solutions.

The project is essential for the future rollout of CorPower Ocean’s wave energy arrays with the CorPower UMACK anchors providing the foundation for large scale electricity generation from ocean waves. Wave energy remains available when wind and solar levels drop, therefore making a direct contribution to scaling and stabilising the renewable energy mix offshore allowing continuity of offshore green power development and production. The novel anchoring solution and installation via vibro hammer represents a step change in Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) for offshore foundations for wave, floating offshore wind and other floating structures projects around the globe.

Optimization of the UMACK anchor
The VibroDrive+ initiative brings together Dieseko Group’s expertise in deep foundations and vibratory technology with CorPower Ocean’s pioneering work in wave energy systems. The collaboration focuses on further optimizing CorPower Ocean’s UMACK anchor, a universal anchor system designed for marine energy, floating wind, and other offshore applications. Through the integration of Dieseko’s high-performance vibro hammer solutions, the project aims to streamline anchor installation, minimize environmental impact, and achieve the lowest possible LCoE.

Laboratory Testing
Research activities will commence December 1st at the IWES Fraunhofer Institute in Hannover, where the project team will conduct advanced controlled laboratory testing involving several rounds of UMACK anchor installation and both static and cyclic load testing. These trials will further confirm how vibratory techniques can enhance both the geotechnical performance and installation predictability of the UMACK anchor under diverse seabed conditions.

LCoE reduction
This project will further improve the existing UMACK anchor technology offering and allow the consortium to build on cutting edge installation methods using Vibrohammer technology. “The UMACK pile anchor has been proven at full scale in Aguçadoura providing station keeping to the CorPower C4 Wave Energy Converter since 2021”, says VibroDrive+ Project Manager, Matt Dickson. “Able to provide >20MN of uplift holding capacity at only 35t of pile mass, the UMACK anchor offers a step change in reduced foundation package costs, and therefore LCOE, for wave, floating offshore wind and other floating structures projects around the globe. The use of vibrohammer technology is also key for projects to reduce environmental impacts during installations via both significantly reduced noise emissions and time/cost of pile installation.”

Large-scale commercial deployment
Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) technology has exciting potential to contribute to the renewable energy mix in the future. “The continued development of this technology through the VibroDrive+ project marks a significant milestone toward large-scale commercial deployment which is exciting for all involved parties”, says Anro Olivier, Project Manager at Dieseko Group. “Our longstanding partnership with CorPower reflects Dieseko’s confidence in the technology and its ability to deliver opportunities for sustained cooperation in the long term.”

In fact, the successful collaboration between the two companies started in 2021, when the first UMACK anchor supporting CorPower Ocean’s flagship wave energy device was successfully installed in Portugal with Dieseko’s 500MU vibratory hammer. This latest phase marks significant progress towards the companies’ shared vision of smarter, more sustainable technologies in the offshore sector.

About Dieseko Group
Dieseko Group is the frontrunner in deep foundations. Active in onshore, nearshore, and offshore projects, we are a trusted partner who combines new build equipment with a global rental fleet to empower clients. This unique model, together with our engineering expertise, ensures we can always provide the right solution, at the right time. www.diesekogroup.com

About CorPower Ocean
CorPower Ocean brings high-efficiency Wave Energy technology that enables reliable and cost-effective harvesting of electricity from ocean waves. With our research and development spanning decades, our innovations are inspired by the pumping principle of the human heart. Ocean energy brings stability to the clean energy mix, accelerating the transition to zero-carbon energy. Headquartered in Sweden, with offices in Portugal, Norway and Scotland, we design, build and install turnkey solutions that allow our customers to power the planet with clean energy from ocean waves. www.corpowerocean.com