Share reportPower Take Off
This programme supported a wide range of Power-Take Off systems that each proposed a step change in the capital cost and/or efficiency/performance over current technology.
Lead contractor
Umbra Cuscinetti S.p.A.
Sub-contractor(s)
University of Edinburgh
Green Marine (UK) Ltd
Hebrides Marine Services Ltd
Supply Design Ltd
Seapower Scrl
JGC Engineering & Technical Services Ltd
Bureau Veritas UK Limited (BV)
Doosan Babcock Ltd
Overview
The Electro-Mechanical Generator (EMG) is an innovative direct-drive system able to convert linear, reciprocating motion into electricity. The projects by Umbra in this programme demonstrated the advantages of using a reciprocating linear drive featuring a recirculating ball screw and a permanent magnet generator to convert energy from ocean waves to electricity at a high efficiency. Recirculating ball screw drives are already widely used and well established in other sectors, e.g. robotics, machining tools or aircraft control systems. In this project, the direct drive technology was combined with a pivoted buoyant wave absorber in controlled test conditions to transform wave power into linear force, and from there to useful electrical power.
Following this, the EMG underwent testing in both relevant and operational environments to reach a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7. In particular, it was bench tested with a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) configuration while submerged in water. Then, it was integrated with a point-pivoted Wave Energy Converter (WEC) and underwent sea trials in the Orkney Islands. This project allowed development of engineering solutions for survivability in the marine environment and gave valuable information concerning the EMG performance in real sea conditions.
Stage 2
June 2017
This PTO Stage 2 project summary report for the Umbra Cuscinetti ReBaS Generator project includes a description of the technology, scope of work, achievements and recommendations for further work.
Stage 3
December 2019
This summary report for the Umbra Cuscinetti S.p.A. project includes a high level overview of the activities completed on the EMERGE PTO project during Stage 3.
Features include an overview of the scope of work completed, the project achievements, lessons learnt, and recommendations for future work. The project performance against key metrics is also presented to support the assessment that the project has demonstrated the advantages of using a reciprocating linear drive featuring recirculating ball screw technology to convert energy from ocean waves to electricity at a high efficiency.
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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.