IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U announced the successful deployment of its modified MARMOK-A-5 device, a prototype floating wave energy converter (WEC) designed to harness sustainable, renewable energy from ocean waves. The device will feature a newly commissioned power take-off (PTO) system developed by IDOM, incorporating all the experience and lessons learned from previous testing campaigns.
This revised and innovative design, developed in the EuropeWave PCP program, focuses on improving the overall power performance of the system while maintaining its proven robustness, maintainability, and reliability in harsh marine environments.
The MARMOK-A-5 is the first WEC to connect electrically to the grid through the HarshLab buoy deployed at the BiMEP test site.
The MARMOK Concept
IDOM’s MARMOK concept is a point absorber based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) working principle. The main structure is a spar buoy holding a cylindrical water column inside. During operation, wave excitation causes the inner water column to move relative to the buoy. This movement acts like a piston, compressing and expanding the air chamber at the top of the buoy. The resulting reciprocating airflow is converted into electricity using an innovative air turbine power take-off system and transmitted to shore through a subsea cable.
Borja de Miguel, Project Manager at IDOM, emphasized: “This deployment is a pivotal milestone for IDOM and the EuropeWave program. Building on previous offshore installation and testing campaigns, it validates years of design, engineering, and learning, and marks the start of an offshore commissioning phase where we expect to demonstrate improved performance from the MARMOK A-5 in real sea conditions. Achieving a safe installation and grid connection at BiMEP is a key step towards bringing wave energy closer to commercial reality.”
Jonathan Hodges, Managing Director of Wave Energy Scotland (WES), commented: “Today’s announcement is a major milestone for IDOM, who can now begin their offshore commissioning process, and for the EuropeWave project, which is working to deliver credible, innovative wave energy demonstrations at sea. We are delighted that the installation of the MARMOK A-5 device has been completed safely and efficiently, and we now look forward to IDOM’s reporting of the system’s performance during its deployment period.”
Endika Aldaiturriaga, Project Manager from Ente Vasco de la Energia (EVE), added: “The deployment of MARMOK-A-5 at BiMEP marks an important milestone for the EuropeWave program and reflects the Basque Country’s firm commitment to supporting innovation in marine renewable energy. For EVE, this achievement highlights the importance of having strong public backing, specialized infrastructures, and effective collaboration between institutions and industry to accelerate the development of strategic clean energy technologies. It also reinforces the role of BiMEP as a reference test site for advancing wave energy towards commercial maturity.”
Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe (OEE), remarked: “We are delighted to see the first EuropeWave-funded project go into the water, marking a major milestone for the program and demonstrating the advances in wave energy innovation. This achievement also highlights the success of the pre-commercial procurement approach, which is proving to be an effective model for accelerating technology development and fostering collaboration across the sector. We look forward to hearing more exciting news from further deployments within the EuropeWave program in the coming year.”
Outlook and Next Steps
With the MARMOK-A-5 now safely installed and connected at BiMEP, IDOM is beginning the offshore commissioning program that will bring the device into full operational service. Over the coming weeks, the team will verify the newly commissioned power take-off (PTO) system and progressively ramp up operations, building on experience from earlier sea campaigns while targeting better performance in real sea conditions.
Data and experience gathered during the deployment will be used to demonstrate performance against EuropeWave’s agreed metrics and to inform the next stage of technology development, helping to accelerate wave energy’s pathway towards larger-scale, pre-commercial projects and, ultimately, commercial roll-out.
