Structural Materials, Coatings and Manufacturing Processes

Overview

This landscaping study investigates the materials and production processes available, or potentially available, for wave energy converter (WEC) device structural design and in particular the transferability of existing knowledge and capability from other industrial applications.

Information gathered during industry interviews, combined with the existing knowledge of the project team, was used to generate a prioritized set of Materials Problem Statements related to Wave Energy Converter Development. The report then identifies, evaluates and down-selects technologies with the potential to meet the requirements of each sub-problem. Each of the down selected technologies is subject to investigation to determine the state of the art, advantages and disadvantages of each technology area, availability of technology transfer from other industries, maturity and risk, cost drivers, and possible economic benefits of each.

The report concludes with the selection of 8 material areas which have the potential to meet the requirements for use in the construction of WEC or WEC sub-components within 3 years.