Ash Penley, the powerhouse behind Zoex Wave Power, has embarked on a remarkable voyage from the depths of the North Sea oilfields to revolutionize wave energy technology. The 51-year-old engineer’s story is not just about innovation but also about determination, resilience, and unwavering passion.
“I invested £100,000 of my savings into launching Zoex,”
Ash shared proudly. Named after her children Zoe and Alex, this venture symbolizes her commitment to creating a sustainable future for the next generation. Her ultimate goal? To secure £3.5 million in funding as she steers Zoex towards commercial success and aims for unicorn status – a company valued at over $1 billion.
Born in Ankara, Turkey, Ash’s early aspiration was to become an astronaut. While space may not have been her final frontier, she found herself navigating challenging environments in the oil and gas industry, including rigorous work in the North Sea with BP before settling in Aberdeen.
Despite warnings that Aberdeen held little promise, Ash followed her instincts and relocated in 2003. Reflecting on the move, she remarked with fondness,
“I love the Scottish culture… I feel more Scottish than Turkish right now.”
An unexpected redundancy during an industry downturn propelled Ash to transition from fossil fuels to renewables in 2015. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her quest to harness her expertise for a greater purpose.
Returning to Aberdeen in 2019 with a renewed focus on renewables, Ash invested another £100k into Zoex and assembled a team of skilled engineers from prestigious universities like Edinburgh and Strathclyde. Their collaborative efforts led to the development of a cutting-edge wave energy converter prototype by 2023.
Ash’s innovative approach includes utilizing generators instead of hydraulic systems to optimize energy efficiency – a strategy honed through experience gained at Eco Wave Power.
Partnering with Sealand Projects and securing funding from various sources facilitated rigorous testing of Zoex’s prototype at the Port of Aberdeen. The successful trials garnered additional financial support amounting to £531k – paving the way for further advancements.
Looking ahead ambitiously, Ash aims to raise £3.5 million for Zoex’s commercialization phase while nurturing dreams of establishing it as Scotland’s own “Wood Group” within renewable energy circles – leveraging Aberdeen’s rich engineering talent pool for this transformative journey.
Her vision extends beyond monetary success; it encompasses building a dedicated team that will evolve alongside Zoex’s growth trajectory – exemplifying her commitment towards sustainable innovation.
Through challenges and triumphs alike, Ash draws strength from her children who continue to inspire and support her unwavering pursuit of excellence in wave energy technology.
From conquering turbulent seas metaphorically within corporate landscapes to pioneering groundbreaking solutions literally through wave power technologies – Ash Penley stands as an embodiment of resilience and ingenuity driving impactful change within renewable energy sectors globally.
