2007
The beginning
The Anaconda technology was invented by Rod Rainey, an expert on floating offshore structures and the late experimental physicist Professor Francis Farley, who worked on wave energy for 35 years. Checkmate Sea Energy acquired all rights and patents to the technology in 2007, to continue the research and development to commercialisation.
2008-2014
Testing the technology
In 2009, the Anaconda WEC secured the support of the Carbon Trust. Their independent analysis stated "it has the potential to deliver breakthrough reductions in the cost of wave energy". Anaconda was subject to multiple wave tank tests at varying scales. The purpose of the tests was to establish the device's power output, fatigue, performance and scale. The tests demonstrated exciting energy output and a lifespan in excess of 12 years.
2015-2020
Partnering with Wave Energy Scotland
After initial successful tests, the Anaconda WEC was selected from a competitive field of entrants to secure Wave Energy Scotland’s Novel Wave Energy Converter funding call. The funding was used to progress with the development and improve the economic potential of the technology. In 2019, Wave Energy Scotland made the disappointing decision to stop funding the Anaconda WEC, curtailing plans to test at 1/4 scale in the ocean. This decision led to the team at Checkmate Sea Energy to review the previous 13 years of work to review the technology.
2020-2024
Refining the technology for scale
During the technology review, the potential of changing the design to create a lower-cost and scalable WEC became clear with the invention of our patented Lobe-Tendon technology, devised by Mark Prentice.
Testing by Wave Venture has confirmed the benefits of the lobe tendon technology. The Lobe-Tendon technology has been demonstrated to reduce material required in the tube by over 70%. Simultaneous analysis and physical model testing has demonstrated increases in power capture. These exciting developments take the Anaconda Lobe-Tendon much closer to commercial viability.
The future
An ocean trial
After 16 years of development and extremely promising wave tank testing, the next step for the Anaconda Lobe-Tendon is a 1/4 scale ocean trial. If you would like to be a part a part of this exciting future as a partner or investor, please get in touch. Read more about what's next for Anaconda here.