INGINE
Pioneering the Commercialization of Wave Energy

As it is evident in global trends, the world needs more renewable energy solutions adapted to a variety of geographies. Along various coastlines and islands, waves can produce energy continuously, unlike other renewable energy sources like the sun, which is only available in the daytime. Moreover, wave energy is around 160 times denser than solar energy, for example, for 0.25kW per m² of solar energy, waves contain 40kW in the same square meter. Not only is ocean energy a huge and largely untapped source of energy, but it is also the one with the lowest CO2 emissions. However, most existing Wave Energy Converters (WEC) are located offshore or nearshore in water deeper than 20 meters, thus requiring an expensive sub-marine power cable over kilometers to achieve grid connection. The price of such a cable is usually an important barrier to the commercialization of ocean energy. Aiming to be a first mover with the commercialization of the next great source of energy, INGINE has designed an innovative method of power generation from the ocean through its WEC, INWave. This technology does not require expensive power cables as the power generation unit is built on the shore, with the traditional way of connectivity to the grid, saving cost.

As a “point absorber,” INWave consists of an energy-absorbing unit or buoys in shallow waters that are responsible for recovering wave energy and a power generating unit onshore that converts wave energy into power. Both of these units are connected to pulleys located on the seabed with simple ropes. The buoys are designed to be sensitive to wave motions and moves up and down, left to right along with waves.
This enables multi-directional energy harvesting, in which buoys, tied to the pulleys, can move and collect power from any direction. The energy recovered from buoys is transmitted through mechanical ropes to the onshore converter. Required tension of ropes is ensured by the buoy’s buoyancy on one end and the counterweight load of the power generating unit on the other end. The technology’s performance records an average efficiency ratio of more than 20 percent at regular wave condition. Along with lower capital expenditures and maintenance costs, INWave brings the possibility to distribute energy to any grid, even off-grid. “Offering an easy installation, durability, safety, and affordability, INWave is designed to extract power from all wave motions irrespective of direction and to adjust to them,” says Daniel Yong-jun Sung, CEO of INGINE.

Continuing on its mission to contribute to an eco-friendly society by commercializing wave energy, INGINE has recently signed a 5-party MoU to make a remote Vietnamese islet, An Binh "carbon-free." As An Binh island residents had no stable water supply, Doosan Heavy Industries donated desalination plants to the islet. The use of electricity in An Binh was bound to expensive and unsustainable diesel, due to isolation from the mainland. INGINE will provide electricity to run the Doosan desalination plants. The construction is set to start early in the next year.
“With every project, we wish to maximize our capabilities with the value chain of efficient and renewable energy,” says Sung. In addition, the company is also working towards Sustainable Development Goal 7 of the United Nations to ensure access to affordable, clean, and sustainable energy for communities.



After the successful implementation of multiple projects, INGINE plans to scale up and target 100MW power generation, which will help wave power to be comparable to all other sources of energy at an affordable price. Besides scaling, the company is opening up to combination solutions, as wave energy offers synergy potential with other renewables like floating solar or offshore wind farms with integrated WEC. Currently, INGINE will launch projects in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, France, and Canada and is ready for market expansion in Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, Southern Africa, South, and North America.