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
IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U
Sub-contractor(s)
Fundación TECNALIA Research & Innovation
Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa JMA
Fundación Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de Cantabria
Overview
IDOM’s wave energy converter (WEC) technology is a point absorber based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) working principle called MARMOK. The basic device concept can be described as a spar element holding a cylindrical water column inside.
During operation, waves excitation causes a relative movement between the inner water column and buoy. It makes the water column act like a piston that compresses and expands the air chamber in the upper side of the buoy, generating a reciprocating air flow which is then converted into electric power using a power take off system composed by an air turbine. The converted power is transmitted to shore through a subsea cable.
This technology has already demonstrated its viability offshore though a low power grid connected prototype deployed at BiMEP between 2016 and 2019. Within the EuropeWave project, the experience and lessons learnt during their previous testing campaigns will be incorporated to develop a revised, innovative design that is focused on improving the power performance of the system while maintaining its high robustness, maintainability and reliability. The main innovation was in the power take off (PTO).
Phase 1
July 2022
The phase considered the preliminary design of the main subsystems, including the mooring systems, PTO and control design. For the WEC structure, an optimisation procedure was followed to maximise the power performance to cost ratio in order to identify the best WEC geometries for EMEC and BiMEP. This optimisation was supported by a simple frequency domain model and prior CFD and linear potential theory models. For the mooring design, a quasistatic characterization of the system was performed in Orcaflex software.Phase 2
June 2023
A front end engineering design (FEED) of the main WEC systems was evolved. Alternative options for the deployment in Phase 3, including size and scale of the WEC and the requirements for an array deployment, were considered before arriving at a final design decision to pursue. Wind tunnel testing of the turbine was completed to obtain performance curves for different design/control conditions, alongside validation of modelling. Two design reviews were held with the EuropeWave team, covering a preliminary and a critical design review. This was in addition to the design and operational strategies being subjected to an independent third party review.Where to next?
Explore our other programmes, or find out more about how we operate.
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.