Q-Connect

Overview

For further information on the current status of this development, please contact the Lead Applicant.  

Quoceant worked with their project partners, Inyanga Maritime and the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), to develop the ‘Q-Connect’ system. The intention of the Q-Connect is to provide combined mechanical and electrical connection in a manner which is adaptable to a range of different prototype WEC designs.

The Stage 1 work aimed to further the concept design for this adaptable system, as well as targeting key technology improvements over existing state-of-the-art. The activities included concept drawing, operational storyboarding and design appraisal. This allowed a meaningful assessment to be made of the feasibility of the design, its potential benefits and the range of WEC designs to which it may be compatible. 

The Q-Connect is a modular and adaptable Quick Connection System (QCS) being developed to provide mechanical and electrical connection either as a combined connection or separately.

The design comprises a set of modular subsystems that may be combined in multiple configurations to provide quick, safe, and low-cost connection for a wide range of WEC types and applications. The same Q-Connect system can cater for slack and taut moored devices on the surface or sub-sea. It can also be applied to technologies within the tidal sector, and in the longer term the vision is that a version of the technology will service the floating wind market.

Stage 2 undertook detailed numerical simulations of the marine operations and peak design events associated with the Q-Connect when integrated into two test case WECs. Data from the simulations allowed further detailed design work to be undertaken to strengthen the design offering and refined the marine operations storyboarding. 

The Q-Connect is a modular Quick Connection System, with the modular subsystems able to be combined in different configurations to provide quick, safe, and low-cost mechanical and electrical connection in one operation.

It is applicable to a range of wave and tidal energy devices, and also to marine testing centres who are seeking to offer a consistent and effective connection solution to a range of clients.

The Stage 3 project brought together an expert team consisting of subsea technology experts, a world-leading marine test centre, WEC developers, and marine operations experts. The project delivered:

• Detailed design for the modular subsystems and their integration into the overall Q-Connect system
• Conduct relevant component and full-system tests in both the dry and wet environment
• Qualification tests of a full-scale version of the Q-Connect 
• Market engagement with potential end-users.