Inventor of ‘sea snake’ wave energy converter wins award

Dr Richard Yemm has driven forward the technical and commercial development of Pelamis wave power

Last month’s PE cover star, Dr Richard Yemm, has been awarded the Saltire Prize Medal for his outstanding contribution to the marine renewables sector.

Yemm invented the “sea snake” wave energy converter when he founded Pelamis Wave Power in Edinburgh in 1998. The device has since been deployed in Portugal and the UK. Pelamis is believed to be on the verge of securing a large commercial partner to take the development of its technology to the next stage.

Yemm was presented with the award by Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, at the Scottish Renewables annual conference dinner in Edinburgh. The Saltire Prize Medal aims to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and groups to the development of wave and or tidal power generation.

Yemm began forming the idea for the wave energy converter while studying for a PhD at the University of Edinburgh. Under his leadership, Pelamis achieved the first grid electricity from offshore waves, Scotland’s first export order for wave energy technology and the UK’s only sales for wave energy converters to utilities firms E.ON and ScottishPower Renewables.

Salmond said: “I am delighted to present Richard Yemm with the Saltire Prize Medal, an accolade which he richly deserves for his tireless commitment to the development of wave energy generation.

“Since forming the initial concept of the Pelamis wave energy converter and establishing the company in 1998, Richard has driven forward the technical and commercial development of Pelamis Wave Power which now boasts major international utilities E.ON, ScottishPower and Vattenfall among its customers.”

Accepting the medal, Yemm said: “It is a huge honour to be presented with this prestigious award which I am delighted to accept on behalf of all who have worked tirelessly alongside me over the years to deliver on this once-in-a-generation opportunity for Scottish engineering and industry.”

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