Ecowave: New Turbine Technology For Wave Power
Ecowave is (one of three Finnish) wave seed stage company owned by family Penttila. Compared to other modern wave power solutions Ecowave has chosen a different approach with a turbine technology using the circular motion of water occurring in a wave drives on any direction. The rotation speed based testing is the same class as in the big wind turbines with an easy anchored installation near or far seaside. The technology has a patent pending backed by an evidence at University of Technology Helsinki. Ecowave has now the first round ongoing for further R&D, next in summer 2009 on energy generation potential and cost protections.
Despite the capital intensity and very early stage nature of business, Wave power received a huge in 2008 according to Cleantech Group . The sector has been dominated more corporate’s while UK's, Ireland's and French Atlantic coastline boasts some of the most powerful wave streams globally. The big challenge is to make a device that will survive and produce power at reasonably cost. Carbon Trust estimates that wave energy costs 25 pence per kWh compared to wind 12 pence per kWh and coal/gas five pence per kWh. Technically, grid connection and energy transport are the first barriers to overcome as wave power plants are usually located a far from high population density.
IdeaForum 2008 Pitch Competition Open - Good Prizes
IdeaForum is a pitching competition being organised by Venture Cup Finland on the 29th of October in Helsinki. The idea is simple of course, you have two minutes to pitch your idea to a group of investors (the jury) and you cannot use any additional materials, except for a piece of paper (or perhaps you have the product available at hand).
If you wish to participate, you should send in your details by the 27th of October to this address including participant's name, phone number and the idea that is going to be presented. Participants will be contacted by phone. The grand prize for two minutes' of work is 1000€.
The jury is made up of five people, Moaffak Ahmed (Veturi Growth Partners), Teemu Seppälä (Helsinki University of Technology/Innovation centre), Petri Laine (Vera Venture), Juho Kinnunen (Eqvitec) and Antti Vilpponen (ArcticStartup). More information on the event here (the english part is at the bottom).
