Equinox Ocean Turbines will begin open water testing of its 1:10 scale Mobula 5 prototype in Friesland, Netherlands, between July 11 and 16. The campaign seeks to validate the ocean turbine performance under real conditions and bring the technology closer to commercial deployment.
The Dutch company aims to demonstrate that its ocean current energy platform can advance to Technology Readiness Level 6, known as TRL 6. This level involves testing the system in a relevant environment, with operational data capable of reducing technical risks before moving to a larger scale.
Mobula 5 Ocean Turbine to Test Its Performance Under Real Conditions
During the campaign, EQOT will evaluate the turbine’s operational behavior, control capability, power curves, and energy production against engineering predictions. Thus, the tests will allow comparison of digital models with the prototype’s actual performance.
Additionally, the program will incorporate hybrid simulation using OpenFAST, connecting the simulation software directly with the turbine’s control system. This strategy expands the scope of testing and allows study of more complex operational scenarios without relying solely on conventional physical tests.
A Step Toward a Mid-Scale Demonstrator in 2028
The data obtained in Friesland will serve as the foundation for EQOT’s next development: a mid-scale prototype planned for 2028. With this advancement, the company seeks to accelerate the path toward demonstration projects and future commercial deployments.
Likewise, the company is analyzing opportunities in markets with high energy potential such as Japan, South Africa, and the United States. Its first commercial window represents approximately 30 GW, within a global ocean current resource estimated at over 700 GW.
Ocean Currents for Continuous Renewable Generation
Following initial validation, EQOT is preparing deployment strategies in the Florida and Kuroshio currents, considered among the most powerful in the world. To this end, the company is working in areas such as environmental assessment, permitting, and project development.
The ocean current energy stands out for its predictability and high energy density. Unlike other variable renewable sources, these currents can flow continuously, opening the door to more stable clean generation for electrical systems with high demand for carbon-free energy.
InnoEnergy Supports Technological Advancement
InnoEnergy, an investor in EQOT, considers that this technology can open a new industry within clean energy. According to Jacob Ruiter, CEO of InnoEnergy for Benelux and the United Kingdom, ocean currents represent a still underexploited opportunity to produce predictable and continuous renewable energy.
With the Mobula 5 tests, EQOT seeks to transform years of engineering, modeling, and development into verifiable data. If the results confirm the forecasts, the ocean turbine will be better positioned to advance toward commercial projects in one of the emerging segments of marine energy.
Source and photo: Equinox Ocean Turbines
