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
Waveram Ltd
Sub-contractor(s)
Core-Marine
B-Fluid Ltd
University of Edinburgh
Rockall Research Ltd
Overview
The Waveram wave energy converter (WEC) is a single bodied, spar buoy that is designed for utility scale arrays in the most energetic deep water offshore sites, such as the north west Atlantic coast of the British Isles, or similar ocean sites in the Americas and Australasia.
The technology comprises a surface piercing float which supports a neutrally buoyant inertial mass of seawater and the ballast required for the design displacement. This combination of buoy, inertial mass and ballast is arranged to hold an internal column of seawater, open at the bottom and enclosed at the top within the float. An air plenum between the two is connected to a high pressure accumulator.
As the spar buoy oscillates in heave it reacts, via the air plenum, against the internal column of water. This action pumps air into a high pressure accumulator, sufficiently large to ensure that a steady flow of air is passed through to the air turbines that comprise the power take off (PTO). The high RPM of these turbines drives switched reluctance generators, with the intention of providing a simple, compact, and robust power train. It is the intention that all moving parts are securely housed above the waterline, aiding access for servicing and quick replacement.
Phase 1
July 2022
A concept design was developed which would be suitable for a Phase 3 deployment at BiMEP or EMEC, leading to an evolution of the design of the proposed Wave Energy Converter (WEC) and its subsystems. Alongside this, tank testing was conducted to allow the validation of developed numerical simulation. The tank testing campaign covered performance and survival conditions, using two scaled WECs deployed simultaneously a suitable distance apart and utilising different control parameters. The outputs of this campaign were subject to an independent third party verification. The validated numerical simulations and outputs from structural design were considered as part of a wider LCOE evaluation to estimate the cost of energy for a commercial-scale WEC. This activity culminated in an initial preliminary design review to get feedback ahead of the Phase Gate.Where to next?
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About Wave Energy Scotland
Wave Energy Scotland was created by request of the Scottish Government. Discover our purpose, our procurement model and more about our team.