ZESTAs Member 2026 · Station F Winner 2025 · Golden Hydrogen 2024

Wave energy competitive and ultra low-carbon

Patented French technology, non-intermittent, stabilizing power grids. 24/7 production, from 5 cm to over 30 m waves.

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The HACE approach

Why wave energy converters fail.
And why HACE succeeds.

Three fundamental breakthroughs that change the economics of wave energy.

🎯 Profitability

The problem

Current wave energy converters poorly adapt to varying wave conditions. Sized for a narrow range, they underperform in calm seas and shut down in rough ones. Result: low capacity factor and energy costs that never come down.

🎯 Profitability

The HACE solution

Every system is custom-designed for its specific site to maximize capacity factor — the key to economic viability. Low electricity cost is a direct consequence of this approach.

⛈️ Intermittency

The problem

Intermittency is the Achilles' heel of all renewable energy: solar, wind, and current wave converters all stop or go into protection mode the moment conditions exceed their operating range. Every hour of downtime drops the capacity factor and makes the business model unsustainable.

⛈️ Intermittency

The HACE solution

HACE produces in the worst conditions — cyclones, rogue waves, tsunamis. The rougher the sea, the higher the output. The system is unsinkable and designed to last over 50 years.

🏭 Scalability

The problem

The complexity of some wave energy converters prevents mass deployment. They require heavy, expensive equipment — high-capacity cranes, specialized vessels, custom components.

🏭 Scalability

The HACE solution

HACE can be built in any shipyard, without heavy equipment. Oscillating water columns in standard steel, industrial mass-production approach. Over 95% recyclable.

The consequences of this approach
< 3g
eqCO₂/kWh
full lifecycle
< 2€/kg
Green H₂ — target
(per electrolyzer partners)
50–90%
Estimated capacity factor
(internal models, site-dependent)
< 15€
/MWh est. by size & site
(large farms, North Sea)

These estimates come from validated internal models and physics calculations. Final cost depends on installation size, site and grid connection. HACE builds the machines — energy price depends on the operator and local conditions.

Patented technology

A piston engine
powered by the waves

Based on the Multiple Oscillating Water Columns (OWC) principle, HACE converts wave swell into a continuous airflow that drives a turbine generating electricity.

HACE turbine in operation
🔊 Listen: full speed with no waves
1

Wave capture

Swell enters open chambers below the surface. Works with all waves from 5 cm, even chaotic ones.

2

Air compression

Oscillating water compresses air in chambers through one-way valves, creating a continuous flow.

3

Air turbine

Continuous airflow drives a turbine accessible in dry conditions, easy to maintain. Parts under 25 kg.

4

Stable electricity

Non-intermittent production, ideal for electrolyzers and desalination plants. In phase with grid demand.

Simple

Turbine in dry conditions, parts <25 kg. Maintenance with standard tools — no divers or special vessels.

Robust

Unsinkable, withstands cyclones and tsunamis. No moving parts underwater — nothing to break beneath the surface.

Zero concrete

100% recyclable steel. No marine foundation, no seabed drilling. Fully dismantlable at end of life.

Scalable

From single module to gigawatt farm

Modules combine in-line or in staggered arrays. Thousands of MW deployed in under 4 years, with built-in coastal protection.

Single module

220 × 10.5 m · 1 MW nominal

In-line array

Modules end to end

Staggered farm

Power + wave break

And more

Advantages no one
else offers

Scalable from 1 MW to GW

Modular architecture in star, line or chevron. Thousands of MW deployed in under 4 years — a response to the climate emergency.

Invisible and accepted

Under 5 m above water, no view obstruction. Zero polluting fluids, zero ecosystem impact. Maximum social acceptance.

Built-in coastal protection

Wave phase-shifting against erosion. Natural beach sand replenishment. Produces energy and protects coastline — dual value.

Real-world sea trials

Sea-validated

The HACE prototype was successfully tested in real marine conditions, demonstrating its robustness and production capacity.

Turbine HACE lors des essais en mer — vue frontale avec bateaux

Sea trials — Front view

Full-scale prototype in real conditions with maritime crew

Turbine HACE lors des essais en mer — vue aérienne avec pont

Sea trials — Aerial view

Star structure capturing waves from all directions

Module HACE en conditions de houle réelle

Module in real conditions

Validation of structural strength and hydrodynamic behavior at sea

Power analysis

Why our capacity factor is exceptional

The sold nominal power is deliberately conservative. The system physics allows a much higher theoretical aeraulic power.

9 MW max theoretical power
→
1 MW sold nominal power
=
×9 safety margin

Capture surface

2,000 m² useful surface (220 m × 10.5 m arms) with 3 m high columns — a "lung" volume of 6,000 m³.

Natural physical limit

Even 10 m waves cannot pump more than 6,000 m³. This natural limit makes the system self-regulated and storm-proof.

Pmax = Q × P × Eff

750 m³/s air flow × 15,000 Pa × 80% efficiency = 9 MW theoretical. We only claim 1 MW nominal — an exceptional safety factor.

Saturated turbines

Power is capped at 1.5 MW by inverters. Turbines are permanently saturated, explaining a capacity factor of 50 to 90% vs 25-35% for wind.

Want numbers for your site? We cross-reference 30 years of hourly wave data with our models. You know exactly what it produces at your location. Study cost is deducted from the order.
Strategic applications

Concrete markets
with strong demand

Marine green hydrogen

Stable power supply for electrolyzers. Enables green H₂ production under 2€/kg. H₂ energy density (33.4 kWh/kg): 1 kg H₂ = 4 kg hydrocarbon = 60 kg batteries.

H₂ enabled < 2€/kg

Island self-sufficiency

Decarbonized electricity and fresh water through competitive desalination (< 0.08€/m³). Eliminates dependency on imported hydrocarbons.

Désalinisation < 0,08€/m³

Grid stabilization

Grid-parity production. Synergy with solar and wind. Continuous data center power supply.

Parité réseau

Zero-emission ports & shipping

ZESTAs member (50+ global actors). Shore power, ship H₂ fueling. "Absolute Zero" energy for port decarbonization. Smart Port Marseille 2024 winner.

ZESTAs · Absolute Zero
Target market

A global potential
with strong demand

Wave energy addresses concrete, creditworthy and growing markets on every coastline in the world.

29 500 TWh/an

Global wave energy resource

Theoretical potential estimated by the IEA. Global electricity consumption is about 25,000 TWh/year. Wave energy alone could meet that demand.

2 milliards

People living within 100 km of a coastline

Islands, coastal areas, developing countries: structural demand for decarbonized energy and fresh water through desalination.

3% des émissions GES

Shipping to decarbonize

IMO and EU regulations underway. HACE provides "Absolute Zero" energy for ports, H₂ bunkering and shore power.

Priority markets

Europe, Islands, Africa, Pacific

Island territories (diesel cost 300-500€/MWh), European Atlantic coasts, African coastlines, Caribbean and South Pacific.

Hydrogen ecosystem

The keys to competitive
green hydrogen

A strategic partnership bringing together the best technologies to enable a complete, competitive H₂ value chain.

⚡
Step 1

HACE — Clean electricity

Stable, non-intermittent, ultra low-carbon energy (from 15€/MWh, < 3g eqCO₂/kWh) to power electrolyzers continuously.

›
🔬
Step 2 — H₂ production

Electrolyzer — Who produces the H₂?

The electrolyzer is operated by the industrial client or a certified partner. HACE provides the ideal energy to run it at full capacity, continuously, at the lowest possible cost.

›
🛢
Step 3

SHZ — Revolutionary storage

H₂ tanks 20× lighter than existing: 1 ton of tank per 1 ton of H₂ transported. Revolutionizes logistics.

›
🚗
Step 4

H2X — Auxiliary solutions

Auxiliary solutions for green H₂ use. Decarbonization of land, sea and air transport.

›
🚢
Step 5

ZESTAs — Zero-emission shipping

Global alliance of 50+ actors. HACE provides "Absolute Zero" energy for ships and ports.

Dual purpose

Coastal protection
against erosion

Vagues aériennes — érosion côtière
✓

Wave phase-shifting

Eliminates the main factors responsible for coastal erosion by phase-shifting water molecule orbitals.

✓

Sand replenishment

Promotes natural beach sediment replenishment, without artificial intervention.

✓

Ecosystem preservation

No polluting fluids, zero concrete, bio-dynamic anchoring. Positive impact on biodiversity.

✓

Dual value

Énergie + coastal protection réduit le coût par usage. Digues flottantes, marinas, installations côtières.

Recognition

11 years of awards and distinctions

2026
ZESTAs Member · Absolute Zero Shipping
2025
Station F Winner — FSF
2024
Golden Hydrogen · Smart Port Marseille
2021
Packwave Phase 1 · Winner
2020
1st Prize · European Commission
2019
1st Innovation Prize · EU Commission
2018
Double Winner
2017
Winner
2015
Winner · HACE Founded
Testimonials

Those who support the project

"HACE technology integrates perfectly into our port energy transition strategy. Its social acceptance and respect for biodiversity are major assets."

Maritime Services
Operational partner

"HACE goes further by providing fresh water and preventing coastal erosion. ZESTAs is delighted to partner with visionaries who address both mitigation and adaptation to climate change within a single technology."

Madadh MacLaine
Secretary General — ZESTAs

« En tant que professionnels de la mer, nous voyons dans HACE une solution compatible avec nos activités. La coastal protection est un bonus considérable. »

Fisheries Committee
Coastal stakeholder

"HACE represents a major advance in marine renewable energy. Its ability to produce competitive green hydrogen opens considerable industrial perspectives."

Public institutions
Regional support
FAQ

Understanding HACE

HACE uses the Multiple Oscillating Water Columns principle. Waves enter open chambers underwater, compress air through one-way valves, creating a continuous airflow that drives a turbine. The system works like a piston engine powered by waves, optimized across the entire swell spectrum.

Yes. HACE captures energy from all waves, even chaotic ones, from 5 cm to over 30 m. Unsinkable, resistant to cyclones, rogue waves and tsunamis. Validated lifespan over 50 years through calculations and numerical simulations.

Under 3g eqCO₂/kWh over full lifecycle. Comparison: solar ~40g, wind ~11g, nuclear ~6g. HACE achieves this through 95% recyclable steel construction, without concrete.

LCOE from 15€/MWh for large well-located farms (North Sea, Iroise). As with solar or wind, the final price depends on installation size, site and grid connection. The high capacity factor (50-90% depending on site) and site-specific design are the keys to this competitiveness.

Stable non-intermittent production ideal for continuous electrolyzers. Result: green H₂ under 2€/kg. In partnership with SHZ (20x lighter storage) and H2X (end-use ecosystems).

Minimal impact: zero concrete, no polluting fluids, under 5 m above water, bio-dynamic anchoring. Bonus: active coastal erosion protection and natural beach replenishment.

Leadership team

Recognized experts

Engineers, PhDs, offshore experts. Polytechnique, Supaéro, HEC, Centrale, SUPELEC, ENSAM, CNRS, MIT, ENA, Stanford…

JLS
Dr. Jean-Luc Stanek
Executive President / CEO
Knight of Maritime Merit
CP
Christian Pages
R&D Director
Ex-Airbus · Aerodynamics expert
Operational team
JLB
Jean-Luc Barou
R&D Expert
GL
Guillaume Langlois
Offshore operations expert
SG
Stephan Guglieri
Financial expert
AB
Me Adrien Bonnet
Legal expert
NG
Nicolas Guignard
Industrial expert
PD
Pierre Doutreloux
Commercial director
BR
Bernard Roussely
IT & Cybersecurity director

Join the marine
energy revolution

Investors, industrial partners, communities: join the HACE project.

Request the pitch deck Contact us
Contact

Let's talk

Dr. Jean-Luc Stanek

Executive President / CEO — Knight of Maritime Merit

hacewaveenergy.com
Technopole Montesquieu
     1 Allée Jean Rostand
     33650 Martillac, France

Your message will be sent directly to the HACE team.