Weco

Weco

Weco is a startup based in The Hague that converts wave motion into electricity. But it goes further than that: with its technology, the company is setting a new standard for wave energy. ‘Instead of the traditional vertical (up and down) movements, we utilise the horizontal (back and forth) movement of the waves,’ explains Cas. ‘This is twice as efficient and makes our installations lighter and cheaper.’ With this approach, Weco aims to make sustainable energy accessible, from the North Sea to the rest of the world.

Passion for the sea and energy transition

The idea for Weco arose from a combination of personal passion and technical ambition. Cas and his co-founder, Luc Hogervorst, share a fascination with the sea and the energy transition. ‘Actually, all my hobbies take place on, under or around the water, such as (kite) surfing and diving. When Luc told me about his idea to work with wave energy, I was immediately enthusiastic. It felt like something we had to take seriously, and we started working on it full-time,’ says Cas.

The official kick-start came with winning ImpactCity’s The Hague Innovators Award in 2022. ‘That not only gave us recognition, but also the space to really get started,’ says Cas. A team of 10 people is now developing innovative wave energy solutions.

Innovative technology

Traditional systems use vertical wave motion, while Weco relies on horizontal wave motion. This increases efficiency, reduces the weight, and simplifies installation at sea. ‘Our systems can simply be secured with an anchor, instead of a heavy concrete block,’ explains Cas.

The North Sea serves as the ultimate testing ground. ‘The waves here are high and demanding. If it works here, it works anywhere,’ says Cas. This challenging environment helps the team develop a reliable system that can withstand the harshest conditions.

From prototype to investments

Weco has already achieved several milestones in three years. The first prototype, a 1x1x1 metre cube, was successfully tested at sea and proved to float stably. The second, larger prototype is now ready for offshore testing. In parallel, the second round of investment is nearing completion, an important step towards upscaling.

Weco also received recognition and support through various programmes, such as The Hague Innovators and Grants For Impact from ImpactCity. The company won the Dutch and European finals of the Climate-KIC challenge and received a contribution from the Rabo Impact Fund. ‘It feels great that so many people and organisations believe in us. It gives us the space to continue building something big,’ says Cas, beaming.

Future: local energy worldwide

Weco has ambitious plans for the future. ‘By 2030, Weco will have developed a standardised, proven and reliable wave energy system. The wave energy generation installation will have clocked up sufficient hours at sea to inspire confidence among customers and within the industry. The company will be ready for international roll-out and will be working to replace diesel generators in island-rich regions with sustainable, affordable and local energy,’ says Cas.

‘I hope that in the future we will also be able to carry out projects in other parts of the world and help people with our wave energy. The need for local and sustainable energy is even greater there,’ Cas continues.

He expresses great confidence in the team: ‘Our strength lies in the ingenuity and commitment of the team.’ When commercial components are too expensive, the team simply designs affordable alternatives themselves. There are also team members who have consciously chosen to earn significantly less because they believe in WECO’s mission and want to contribute to it.