AWS Ocean Energy
AWS Ocean Energy is a Scottish wave energy technology developer building the Archimedes Waveswing subsea buoy and related WEC systems, licensing IP and delivering R&D and consultancy services to marine energy, oil and gas, aquaculture, and remote maritime customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersInverness, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AWS Ocean Energy does
AWS Ocean Energy is a privately-held Scottish engineering company that develops wave energy conversion (WEC) technologies and provides related consultancy services to the marine renewable energy sector. Founded around 2005 and headquartered in Inverness with 11–50 employees, the company has spent roughly 20 years developing its flagship Archimedes Waveswing — a patented pressure-activated subsea buoy that converts changes in subsea water pressure caused by passing waves into electricity via a direct-drive linear generator. Single-unit ratings are configurable from 15kW to 500kW, with a roadmap toward multi-absorber platforms of up to 10MW per structure. The subsea operating principle and single-point tension-tether mooring are designed to enable operation and survivability in extreme offshore conditions, with self-installation achievable in under 12 hours.
The company's broader technology portfolio includes the AWS-III multi-cell membrane wave power system (capable of 2.4 MW average output from a 9-cell catamaran arrangement) and the Electric Eel concept, an electro-active polymer-based tube technology that holds patents in multiple jurisdictions and remains at concept stage. AWS monetizes through government-funded R&D contracts, technology licensing to delivery partners, professional consultancy and design services, and custom-engineered hardware sales. Key development partners and funders include Wave Energy Scotland (WES), the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), the U.S. Department of Energy, and a network of UK and international engineering subcontractors supporting the Waveswing programme.
The company is led by CEO Simon Grey and Commercial Director Jude Monson, operates engineering and testing activities at EMEC's Scapa Flow facility in Orkney, and depends on Malin Marine (Renfrew, Glasgow) for fabrication. AWS is currently pre-commercial — its 16kW Waveswing prototype completed successful sea trials at EMEC in November 2022, exceeding power-capture predictions by 20% and surviving Force 10 gales — and is actively seeking commercialization partners across oil and gas, aquaculture, oceanographic monitoring, and remote maritime community segments.
AWS Ocean Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AWS Ocean Energy
- Legal name
- AWS Ocean Energy Ltd
- Website
- https://awsocean.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AWS Ocean Energy is a Scottish wave energy technology developer building the Archimedes Waveswing subsea buoy and related WEC systems, licensing IP and delivering R&D and consultancy services to marine energy, oil and gas, aquaculture, and remote maritime customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AWS Ocean Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wave energy converters
- NAICS
- Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)
- SIC
- Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730), Engines & Turbines (3510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Power Generation (EUACAJAC)
Keywords
Where AWS Ocean Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Inverness
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
AWS Ocean Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: AWS licenses its wave energy technologies to delivery partners. The business model centers on intellectual property licensing rather than manufacturing.
- Professional Consultancy and Design Services: The company provides professional consultancy and design services in marine energy in addition to technology development work.
- Wave Energy Converter Hardware: Sale of wave energy conversion devices including the Archimedes Waveswing and related systems for remote power applications.
- Funded R&D Development Contracts: Government-funded development programmes through Wave Energy Scotland and EU Interreg funding for prototype development and testing.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
AWS Ocean Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AWS Ocean Energy develops and licenses patented wave energy conversion technologies for the marine energy sector, headlined by the Archimedes Waveswing subsea buoy (15kW–500kW single units, scalable to 10MW platforms) and the AWS-III multi-cell membrane wave power system. The company also provides professional consultancy and design services in marine energy, and actively seeks commercialization partners, end users, and sponsored testing programmes for commercial wave power deployment.
Product overview
AWS Ocean Energy provides enabling technologies and related professional services to the marine energy sector, focusing on wave power generation. The core product portfolio consists of the Archimedes Waveswing (subsea wave power buoy with 15kW-500kW single-unit ratings, scalable to 10MW via multi-absorber platforms), the AWS-III multi-cell membrane wave power system (2.4 MW average output), and the Electric Eel concept (electro-active polymer-based tube technology, still in development). Professional consultancy and design services complement the technology offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Archimedes Waveswing: A patented submerged wave power buoy that reacts to changes in sub-sea water pressure caused by passing waves and converts the resulting motion to electricity via a direct-drive generator. Suitable for deployment in water depths exceeding 25m as a single buoy or for integration into a multi-absorber structure. Single unit ratings between 15kW and 500kW; multi-absorber platforms up to 10MW.
- AWS-III
- Electric Eel
Products and services
- Archimedes Waveswing A patented subsea wave power buoy that reacts to changes in sub-sea water pressure caused by passing waves and converts the resulting motion to electricity via a direct-drive linear generator. Configurable for ratings between 15 kW and 500 kW as a single unit, with multi-absorber platforms offering up to 10 MW from a single structure. Marketed to enterprise end users needing reliable remote power for subsea oilfield infrastructure, oceanographic monitoring, aquaculture, and remote maritime communities.
- AWS-III Multi-cell Wave Power A multi-cell array of flexible membrane absorbers that convert wave power to pneumatic power through compression of air within each cell, with cells inter-connected to allow interchange of air in anti-phase. A typical device comprises 9 cells each around 16m wide by 8m deep arranged around a catamaran structure, capable of producing an average of 2.4 MW from rough seas. A patented modular cassette system enables at-sea maintenance and diaphragm change-out, reducing lifecycle cost.
- Electric Eel Wave Power Concept A next-generation wave power concept consisting of a long elastic tube tethered below the sea surface where passing waves cause pressure bulges to propagate along the tube. Power is extracted by smart electro-active polymer panels built into the tube sides, which generate electricity when stretched, with active control to tune to incoming wave frequency. Patents have been granted in multiple jurisdictions.
- Marine Energy Consultancy and Design Services Professional consultancy and design services in marine energy covering wave energy feasibility, technology development, and bespoke engineering design for commercial and research clients. Delivered to enterprise customers and funded R&D programmes in the marine energy sector.
Quantifiable outcome
- Average power capture of 10kW with peaks of 80kW, exceeding predictions by 20%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use AWS Ocean Energy
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AWS Ocean Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
AWS Ocean Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC)coreEMEC provides testing facilities at their Scapa Flow test site in Orkney for deployment and sea trials of the Waveswing device. AWS has been conducting scientific testing programmes at EMEC's test site.
- Malin MarinecoreMalin Marine at their fabrication facility in Renfrew, Glasgow handled the main build and assembly work for the Waveswing prototype. Also collaborated with Malin Group on Well-Minder project for net zero initiatives.
- 4c EngineeringcoreProvided design support as part of the subcontractor team working on the Waveswing development programme.
- QuoceantcoreProvided design support alongside 4c Engineering as part of the Waveswing development programme.
- SequenteccoreSupplied the control system for the Waveswing as part of the development programme.
- Green MarinecoreStromness-based Green Marine carried out marine operations for deployment of the Waveswing device at EMEC's test site.
- JGC EngineeringminorResponsible for fabrication of the anchor frame for the Waveswing mooring system.
- K2ManagementminorSubcontractor supporting project management during the design phase of the Waveswing development.
- Orcades MarineminorSubcontractor providing marine engineering expertise during the design phase.
- Uaine GormminorSubcontractor supporting the design phase of the Waveswing development programme.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AWS Ocean Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bombora Wave Power: Welsh-Australian wave energy company developing the mWave, a flexible membrane submerged WEC. Comparable in submerged device architecture and licensing-driven commercialization strategy.
- Carnegie Clean Energy: Australian developer of CETO wave energy technology targeting remote offshore power, including oil & gas and island grids. Comparable in being a publicly-listed pure-play wave energy IP licensor/commercializer.
- AW-Energy: Finnish developer of the WaveRoller, a submerged wave energy converter deployed near-shore. Most architecturally similar peer to AWS (submerged device vs. surface), competing for similar coastal and industrial customers.
- Mocean Energy: Scottish wave energy startup developing the Blue Star WEC for remote offshore power, also tested at EMEC and targeting oil & gas operators. Strong local peer with similar technology readiness stage and customer focus.
- Ocean Power Technologies: US-listed wave energy company developing the PowerBuoy, a surface-floating wave energy converter for offshore oil & gas, oceanographic, and defense applications. Most direct commercial-stage competitor to AWS in the wave-for-offshore-power niche.
- Wave Swell Energy: Australian developer of a bi-directional wave energy converter targeting island grids and remote coastal communities. Comparable in targeting utility-scale wave power with a fundamentally different (oscillating water column) architecture.
- Eco Wave Power: Israel-based wave energy company developing near-shore and onshore wave energy converters, recently focused on grid-connected projects in Israel, Portugal and California. Comparable wave energy IP licensor/commercializer with international pilots.
- CorPower Ocean: Swedish wave energy developer commercializing a point-absorber WEC with a similar scaling and survivability pitch, also tested at EMEC. Closest European peer to AWS in target market, technology stage, and offshore-power use cases.
Emerging players
- Sinn Power: German wave energy startup developing modular wave energy converters that can be integrated into existing breakwaters and offshore structures. Adjacent peer addressing offshore renewable power with a focus on European pilots.
Others
- European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC): Orkney-based test facility and ecosystem enabler where AWS and most of its peers (CorPower, Mocean) validate prototypes. Not a competitor but the most important industry infrastructure partner and adjacent market signal for the wave energy sector.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AWS Ocean Energy social profiles
Digital presenceAWS Ocean Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AWS Ocean Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
AWS Ocean Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AWS Ocean Energy 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 AWS Ocean Energy
What does AWS Ocean Energy do?
AWS Ocean Energy develops and licenses patented wave energy conversion technologies for the marine energy sector, headlined by the Archimedes Waveswing subsea buoy (15kW–500kW single units, scalable to 10MW platforms) and the AWS-III multi-cell membrane wave power system. The company also provides professional consultancy and design services in marine energy, and actively seeks commercialization partners, end users, and sponsored testing programmes for commercial wave power deployment.
Is AWS Ocean Energy a public or private company?
AWS Ocean Energy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AWS Ocean Energy founded?
AWS Ocean Energy was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AWS Ocean Energy based?
AWS Ocean Energy is headquartered in Inverness, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does AWS Ocean Energy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are professional Consultancy and Design Services, wave Energy Converter Hardware and funded R&D Development Contracts.
Who are AWS Ocean Energy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bombora Wave Power, Carnegie Clean Energy, AW-Energy, Mocean Energy, Ocean Power Technologies, Wave Swell Energy, Eco Wave Power and CorPower Ocean. Sinn Power is listed as an emerging player. European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) is listed as an others.
Does AWS Ocean Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for AWS Ocean Energy.
What industry is AWS Ocean Energy in?
AWS Ocean Energy's product category is Wave energy converters. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACAJAC, Wave Energy Converter (WEC) Power Generation. Its NAICS code is 3366 and its SIC code is 3730.