Latest news with #AnnikaÖlme
Axios
08-05-2025
- Science
- Axios
Harnessing tidal energy to foster a more sustainable power grid
Tapping into the Moon's energy doesn't require a spaceship — just a bold new approach. Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Technology Development at SKF, discusses the "next space race" and how innovative technologies are already creating opportunities to harness endless energy from the moon's gravitational pull — right here on Earth. 1. The idea: What is the Faroe Islands Space Program? Ölme: The Faroe Islands is a small island nation between Scotland and Iceland in the Northeast Atlantic. There, together with our customer Minesto, we've built a space program unlike any other in the world. The Faroe Islands Space Program competes with global superpowers to harness lunar resources — without ever leaving Earth. Tidal energy, generated by the moon's gravitational pull, offers a renewable and predictable power source. This untapped natural resource holds tremendous potential to support a more sustainable energy future. 2. How it's done: How are you harnessing energy from the moon? Ölme: As the Moon's gravity pulls on the Earth and its oceans, it creates tidal streams. These powerful flows of water generate immense energy. Through innovative technologies and partnerships, we've supported the development of a way to harness this energy — LUNA 12. LUNA 12 transforms the concept of kites. Rather than soaring through the air, it glides through the ocean at speeds up to 16 knots at a depth of ~ 60 meters, driving water through a turbine to generate energy. The wing uses the hydrodynamic lift force created by the underwater current to move the kite. With an onboard control system, the kite is autonomously steered in a predetermined figure-of-eight trajectory, pulling the turbine through the water at a water flow several times higher than the actual stream speed. The turbine shaft turns the generator which outputs electricity to the grid via a power cable in the tether and a seabed umbilical to the shore. 3. The background: Who's behind this innovation? Ölme: The Faroe Islands Space Program is a collaboration between SKF, Minesto, and the Faroe Islands. SKF is the world's largest bearing manufacturer with a commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2emissions. Minesto is an ocean energy technology developer. The Faroe Islands, along with the inter-municipal community power company SEV, has one of the world's most ambitious energy transition initiatives, aiming to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030. SKF designed the bearing and sealing systems for the rudders and elevators of the kites, and we collaborated closely with Minesto to optimize the LUNA 12 kite for demanding operational environments. The result is a cost-competitive tidal energy technology poised for large-scale deployment. The initiative underscores the critical role of cross-industry collaboration and knowledge-sharing in accelerating innovation, advancing the shift to renewables and shaping a more sustainable energy future. The Faroe Islands Space Program serves as a blueprint for broader cooperation across sectors. 4. The impact: What's the long-term potential here? Ölme: The Faroe Islands, with its strong political will, unique ocean conditions, and supportive infrastructure, provide an ideal setting to test and scale this groundbreaking technology. Today, LUNA 12 is connected to the Faroese power grid, but as the project is in its pilot phase, electricity production is still in humble volumes. LUNA 12 is the first megawatt-scale kite in operation, delivering a tenfold increase in capacity compared to earlier models. With a rated power of 1.2 megawatts, it could supply enough electricity to power around 200 homes for a full year once fully operational. The next goal is to implement a new 200 MW tidal energy facility. This could meet 40% of the Faroe Islands' expected electricity needs in 2030, providing renewable electricity to the nation's 50,000 people and 70,000 sheep. Today, ocean energy is still a small part of the renewable energy mix. But we've identified at least 3,000 other "Faroe Islands" out there with the potential to harness this technology to generate renewable energy. If they were all to join, moon power could replace all coal power capacity currently under development globally. 5. Looking ahead: What's next for this project and SKF's future innovations? This is just one example of how SKF works with customers to advance new approaches and innovations in energy technology development and across other sectors. We recognize the powerful role we can play in reducing friction in projects and applications worldwide. Anywhere bearings are used, there's an opportunity to enhance efficiency and reduce friction, and we're proud of our innovations across the globe — and beyond — in making that a reality.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minesto's unique ocean energy technology at the centre of global branding campaign together with SKF
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto, leading developer of ocean energy is selected by renowned bearing manufacturer SKF to be part of a large-scale international marketing brand campaign. The campaign "The Faroe Islands Space Program - a space program that never leaves earth" highlights Minesto's innovative and lightweight yet powerful tidal energy kites; and the opportunity to harness 'moon energy', making the most of the Earth's resources in a sustainable approach. The global brand campaign by SKF showcases Minesto's unique competitive technology, ready for commercial roll-out. The unique tidal energy technology has the potential to unlock a new global renewable resource presently untapped by mankind. Minesto brought SKF on board to design the bearing and sealing systems for the rudders and elevators of the Minesto Dragon kites. SKF now selects Minesto for a global brand collaboration, a marketing campaign including films, social media, editorial content and a press event, is being rolled out across the globe, starting from today. "It is of significant value for Minesto to get global exposure for our technology and the value of the untapped ocean resource that constitutes our market. The timing is near perfect given our ambition to secure commercial partnerships in the Faroe Islands and beyond. The creative 'space angle' combined with our fascinating Dragons where SKF is a strategic technology contributor will most certainly boost awareness and brand recognition for both companies beyond anything historically achieved," says Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto. "Collaboration across industries is essential for progress. Together with Minesto, we are demonstrating how technology and innovation can drive the transition to renewable energy," comments Annika Ölme, CTO & SVP, Technology Development, SKF. "From a brand perspective, we are honoured to be selected for this global campaign by renowned friction-fighting innovator SKF. The campaign collaboration between Minesto and SKF creates an intriguing composition. Moreover, we share the same commitment to sustainability and innovation," says Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer at Minesto. Introduction to the campaign "The Faroe Islands Space Program - a space program that never leaves earth": Increased demand for energy has led to a new space race where major nations are said to compete to control the Moon's resources. But in fact, we already have endless moon energy on Earth. Tidal energy, driven by the Moon's gravitational pull on our oceans, offers a renewable and predictable power source. Industry leader SKF and ocean energy developer Minesto, together with the Faroese energy company Sev, are launching the Faroe Island Space Program to harness this untapped potential and highlight the urgency of utilizing Earth's existing resources in a smart and sustainable way. Link to Minesto web site:Minesto | Renewable energy. From the ocean. Link to SKF official Newsroom:Newsroom | SKF Link to SKF campaign web site:A Fighting Friction Initiative | SKF PresskontaktCecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer+46 735 23 71 58press@ This information was brought to you by Cision View original content: SOURCE Minesto AB Sign in to access your portfolio
