‘Sea snake’ wave power pioneer’s delight at award

The inventor of a wave energy device built in the Capital has been awarded the Saltire prize medal for his outstanding contribution to the marine renewables sector.

Dr Richard Yemm invented the red “sea snake” wave energy converter when he founded Pelamis Wave Power in 1998.

He was presented with the award by First Minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Renewables annual conference dinner in Edinburgh.

Dr Yemm began forming the idea for the wave energy converter while studying for a PhD at Edinburgh university.

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.

Dr Yemm said: “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.”