EuropeWave
EuropeWave is a Horizon2020 funded programme, delivered by Ente Vasco de la Energía and WES, to develop and deploy multiple pre-commercial WEC systems in Scotland and the Basque region.
Lead contractor
AMOG Consulting Ltd
Sub-contractor(s)
Ocean Energy Systems Ltd
Offspring International Ltd
Phase Motion Control S.p.a
FloWave (University Of Edinburgh)
AMOG Consulting Pty Ltd
The European Marine Energy Centre Ltd
Overview
The AMOG Sea Saw wave energy converter (WEC) technology is a dual hinged hull combined surge and pitch device with two rolling mass power take-offs (PTOs) on curved tracks.
The fundamental principles of the WEC are that it has: • All moving parts are positioned out of the water, which are expected to improve reliability, inspection maintenance while reducing operating costs, • Sub systems components transferred from other sectors and environments in which they have a high TRL, enabling commercial off the shelf (COTS) systems to be applied, • Conventional catenary mooring lines anchors, so that it may be installed by a single anchor handling vessel aiding installability, • Rolling mass PTOs that utilise standard railway bogies and which can be changed out by a single vessel whilst the WEC remains on its mooring.
The hinge linked hulls with their independent PTOs and the resulting “Sea Saw” motion enable the device to access both the long period swell and shorter period wind driven waves, maximising the power production in order to deliver power to its intended utility scale market.
Phase 1
July 2022
The main outcome was the completion of two key activities. A concept design was developed for the system which could be deployed in Phase 3, or when completed Stage 3 of the IEA Framework, was investigated in detail, developing design requirements and subsystem definitions. Alongside this, a comprehensive tank testing campaign was completed using sophisticated motor carts and control techniques. Although ambitious, the campaign was successful and able to deliver some significant learning and understanding about the behaviour and performance of the WES system.Phase 2
June 2023
The design of the WEC and its subsystems progressed to a front end engineering design (FEED) which were subject to an independent third-party review. Design activity primarily focused on the fundamental technology risks and the key subsystems, including the hull structure, the PTO and electrical systems, and the high fatigue systems comprising the mooring and structure tie nodes. An independent review was also completed to review refined installation and operational strategies that had been developed into detailed storyboards through the course of the project. Orcaflex modelling of the WEC was refined and validated against a further, focused round of tank testing. Business development activities were also completed, to understand the opportunities for a system such as this, and the techno-economic attractiveness that it offers. All these aspects were reviewed against the IEA Framework activities for Stage 2 and the original project impacts to justify the progress made within Phase 2.Where to next?
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About Wave Energy Scotland
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