Ocean Grazer B.V.
Ocean Grazer B.V. is a Groningen-based University of Groningen spin-off developing AquaVault and Ocean Battery pumped hydro energy storage systems for European wind/solar farm operators, transmission system operators, and industrial renewable generators. The technology uses artificial elevation via underground shafts, targets long-duration storage, and remains in pre-commercial pilot stage.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersGroningen, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ocean Grazer B.V. does
Ocean Grazer B.V. is a Dutch private limited company headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, founded as a University of Groningen spin-off to commercialize a pumped hydro energy storage technology originally developed from 2013 onward. The company's core products are AquaVault, a long-duration underground storage system that creates an artificial elevation difference by drilling deep shafts (12-18m diameter, >300m depth) and storing water in underground reservoirs, and Ocean Battery, an offshore variant placing flexible bladders on the seabed under wind farms. Both systems use only water, steel, and concrete — no rare earth materials — and are marketed as having >50-year lifetime, 70-80% round-trip efficiency, 0% self-discharge, and >60,000 cycles with no degradation. Modular building blocks of 10-40 MWh per unit are configurable in 1-10 MW power ratings to address intraday through multi-day (dunkelflaute) storage needs.
The company's business model centers on project-based infrastructure delivery of custom-engineered energy storage systems targeting wind and solar farm asset owners, transmission system operators, and industrial on-site renewable generators, supplemented by an Ocean Energy Consultancy services line. Ocean Grazer operates a sales-led, direct enterprise GTM focused on the European market, currently in the pre-commercial pilot phase with the NEMO-I first-of-a-kind project (2.5 MWh) in Sellingerbeetse planned as part of RWE's OranjeWind offshore wind farm, with construction targeted for 2H 2026. Revenue is not yet recognized; the company's primary capital inflow to date is a €2.5M EIC Accelerator Grant (2023) from the European Innovation Council.
The company is led by CEO Frits Bliek, COO Max Duursma, and CTO Marijn van Rooij, with founder Wout Prins serving as Scientific Advisor, and operates with 1-10 employees. Strategic partners include RWE (flagship pilot partner), Deltares (erosion research), Kremer Sand & Gravel (pilot co-location), the University of Groningen (foundational research), and various EU and Dutch public-finance bodies. The technology was recognized with the CES Best-of-Innovation Award in 2022, and the company references Europe's 200GW-by-2030 and 600GW-by-2050 energy storage targets as its addressable market.
Ocean Grazer B.V. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ocean Grazer B.V.
- Legal name
- Ocean Grazer B.V.
- Website
- https://oceangrazer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Ocean Grazer B.V. is a Groningen-based University of Groningen spin-off developing AquaVault and Ocean Battery pumped hydro energy storage systems for European wind/solar farm operators, transmission system operators, and industrial renewable generators. The technology uses artificial elevation via underground shafts, targets long-duration storage, and remains in pre-commercial pilot stage.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ocean Grazer B.V. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Energy Storage Systems
- NAICS
- Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)
- SIC
- Engines & Turbines (3510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydropower EPC & Construction (Civil Works, Electromechanical) (EUACAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Offshore Wind Power Generation (Floating) (EUACAFAC)
Keywords
Where Ocean Grazer B.V. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Groningen
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ocean Grazer B.V. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Energy Storage Infrastructure Systems: Ocean Grazer designs, develops, and likely sells/leases utility-scale energy storage systems based on pumped hydro technology. The company is currently in pilot project phase with NEMO-I (2.5 MWh) in Sellingerbeetse, scaling toward commercial deployment. Revenue model appears to be project-based infrastructure delivery with potential service/maintenance contracts.
- Ocean Energy Consultancy Services: The company offers innovative out-of-the-box solutions for development and engineering of renewable energy for offshore applications through its Ocean Energy Consultancy service.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Ocean Grazer B.V. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ocean Grazer B.V. designs, develops, and sells utility-scale pumped hydro energy storage systems for renewable energy applications. Its main product, AquaVault, is a long-duration underground energy storage system that creates an artificial elevation difference using deep drilled shafts, storing water in underground reservoirs and releasing it through turbines. The company also offers the Ocean Battery, an offshore variant of the technology for deployment at offshore wind farms, alongside Ocean Energy Consultancy engineering services.
Product overview
Ocean Grazer B.V. offers a portfolio of innovative energy storage solutions centered on pumped hydro technology. The core product is AquaVault, a long-duration underground energy storage system using an artificial elevation difference created by drilling deep shafts, allowing water storage in underground reservoirs. The earlier Ocean Battery product applies similar pumped hydro principles specifically for offshore seabed deployment at wind farms. Both products share the same fundamental technology of pumping water uphill during excess generation and releasing it through turbines when needed, with no rare materials required. The company also provides Ocean Energy Consultancy for offshore renewable development services and Ocean Power for wave energy conversion. Major initiatives include the EU-funded OCEANBATTERY demonstration project and the NEMO-I pilot project with RWE at Sellingerbeetse. The technology is recognized with the 2022 CES Best-of-Innovation Award.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AquaVault: Sustainable energy storage system based on pumped hydro technology using underground reservoirs. The system creates an artificial height difference to store and release energy efficiently. Offers sustainable, safe, and limitless storage without rare materials with minimal environmental impact.
- Ocean Battery
- Ocean Energy Consultancy
- Ocean Power
Products and services
- AquaVault Energy Storage System Long-duration underground energy storage system based on pumped hydro technology that creates an artificial height difference by drilling a deep underground shaft. Stores excess renewable energy by pumping water into an underground reservoir and releases it through turbines when demand exceeds supply. Configurable in modular building blocks of 10–40 MWh per unit with 1–10 MW power, 70–80% round-trip efficiency, and a >50-year lifetime.
- Ocean Battery (Offshore Energy Storage) Scalable, modular offshore energy storage system based on pumped hydro principles. Stores renewable energy produced by offshore wind turbines and floating solar farms by pumping water into flexible bladders placed on the seabed, connected via a vertical shaft to an underground reservoir. Designed for eco-friendly utility-scale offshore energy storage up to GWh scale.
- Ocean Energy Consultancy Engineering and development consultancy service offering innovative out-of-the-box solutions for the development and engineering of renewable energy for offshore applications.
- Ocean Power (Wave Energy Conversion) Wave energy conversion technology using innovative floater blankets that are adaptable to each incoming wave in order to maximize power output, converting wave energy into electricity.
Quantifiable outcome
- System efficiency: 70-80% round-trip efficiency
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Ocean Grazer B.V.
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ocean Grazer B.V. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Ocean Grazer B.V. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and foundational.
- RWEflagshipRWE's OranjeWind offshore wind farm project includes Ocean Grazer's NEMO-I pilot project as one of the innovations for system integration. RWE also supported the erosion research project within the Hollandse Kust West wind farm context. Ocean Grazer is developing its first-of-a-kind pilot storage facility as part of this partnership.
- DeltarescoreResearch collaboration on seabed erosion around the Ocean Battery. Deltares conducted physical testing in their Atlantic Basin facility, simulating tidal and storm conditions from Hollandse Kust West wind farm. Project supported by TKI Wind op Zee Public-Private Partnership (PPP) subsidy. Final results (January 2025) confirmed scour risks are manageable through localized scour protection measures.
- Kremer Sand & GravelcoreCo-location partner for Sellingerbeetse pilot project (NEMO-I). Located at Kremer Sand and Gravel site, where sand extraction operations consume energy and floating solar farm generates renewable energy. The energy supply/demand imbalance creates ideal conditions to validate AquaVault performance at scale.
- University of GroningenfoundationalOcean Grazer is a spin-off from the University of Groningen. Development began in 2013 under Wout Prins focusing on wave energy, evolving to Ocean Battery concept. Over 100 students have contributed to research including predictive models and experimental prototypes. The company continues academic collaborations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ocean Grazer B.V. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NGK Insulators (NAS batteries): Broad incumbent in grid-scale energy storage with sodium-sulfur (NAS) battery systems deployed globally. NGK competes for long-duration storage applications with mature technology, though its high-temperature operating requirements and shorter cycle life differ from Ocean Grazer's pumped hydro approach.
- Tesla (Megapack): Broad incumbent in grid-scale energy storage with lithium-ion Megapack systems. While Tesla dominates short-duration storage, it competes indirectly with Ocean Grazer for utility customers seeking multi-hour to multi-day solutions, though its lithium-ion technology has shorter cycle life and higher degradation.
Direct peers
- Highview Power: Direct competitor in long-duration energy storage using liquid air energy storage (LAES) technology. Both companies target utility-scale, multi-hour to multi-day discharge with non-lithium approaches, competing for the same European utility customers and grid balancing applications.
- Energy Vault: Direct competitor in long-duration energy storage using gravity-based technology. Both companies target utility-scale storage with non-lithium approaches aimed at multi-hour to multi-day discharge, competing for the same renewable asset owner customers.
- Malta Inc. Direct competitor in long-duration energy storage using pumped heat energy storage with molten salts and anti-fluids. Both companies target utility-scale, multi-hour to multi-day discharge with thermal-mechanical approaches, competing for similar grid flexibility use cases.
- Hydrostor: Direct competitor in long-duration energy storage using compressed air energy storage (CAES) with hydrostatic compensation in underground caverns. Both companies target multi-hour to multi-day storage with similar siting and geological requirements, addressing the same grid flexibility use cases.
- Form Energy: Direct competitor in long-duration energy storage developing iron-air batteries for 100+ hour discharge. Both companies target the multi-day storage segment (dunkelflaute periods) with non-lithium, low-cost approaches, competing for the same renewable asset owners and utility customers.
- ESS Inc. Direct competitor in long-duration energy storage using iron flow battery technology. Both companies target utility-scale, multi-hour discharge with non-lithium approaches emphasizing longevity and low degradation, competing for similar grid storage applications.
- Quidnet Energy: Direct competitor using subsurface pumped hydro storage with deep wells to create head pressure. Both companies leverage underground geological formations to enable pumped hydro without natural elevation, competing for similar LDES market positioning.
- Gravitricity: Direct competitor developing gravity-based energy storage using heavy weights in disused mine shafts. Both companies repurpose underground mining/geological infrastructure for energy storage, competing for similar niche applications and customer segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ocean Grazer B.V. social profiles
Digital presenceOcean Grazer B.V. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ocean Grazer B.V. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Ocean Grazer B.V. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ocean Grazer B.V. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ocean Grazer B.V.
What does Ocean Grazer B.V. do?
Ocean Grazer B.V. designs, develops, and sells utility-scale pumped hydro energy storage systems for renewable energy applications. Its main product, AquaVault, is a long-duration underground energy storage system that creates an artificial elevation difference using deep drilled shafts, storing water in underground reservoirs and releasing it through turbines. The company also offers the Ocean Battery, an offshore variant of the technology for deployment at offshore wind farms, alongside Ocean Energy Consultancy engineering services.
Is Ocean Grazer B.V. a public or private company?
Ocean Grazer B.V. is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ocean Grazer B.V. founded?
Ocean Grazer B.V. was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Ocean Grazer B.V. based?
Ocean Grazer B.V. is headquartered in Groningen, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Ocean Grazer B.V. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Energy Storage Infrastructure Systems are the primary driver. The others are ocean Energy Consultancy Services.
Who are Ocean Grazer B.V.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NGK Insulators (NAS batteries) and Tesla (Megapack). Direct peers are Highview Power, Energy Vault, Malta Inc., Hydrostor, Form Energy, ESS Inc., Quidnet Energy and Gravitricity.
Does Ocean Grazer B.V. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ocean Grazer B.V..
What industry is Ocean Grazer B.V. in?
Ocean Grazer B.V.'s product category is Energy Storage Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACAEAF, Hydropower EPC & Construction (Civil Works, Electromechanical), with a secondary code of EUACAFAC, Offshore Wind Power Generation (Floating). Its NAICS code is 221111 and its SIC code is 3510.