Conference article

Preliminary Design of the OWEL Wave Energy Converter Commercial Demonstrator

M. Leybourne
Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Southampton, UK \ IT Power Ltd, Bristol, UK

W. Batten
Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Southampton, UK

A. S. Bahaj
Sustainable Energy Research Group, University of Southampton, UK

N. Minns
IT Power Ltd, Bristol, UK

J. O’Nians
IT Power Ltd, Bristol, UK

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110572214

Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:10, p. 2214-2221

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Published: 2011-11-03

ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

The consortium responsible for the next stage of development of the OWEL wave energy converter will construct and test a large scale; pre-commercial demonstrator. It is expected that this will be installed at Wave Hub during 2013 and grid connected for a testing period lasting around 12 months. This paper reports on the preliminary design work being undertaken in the development of the marine demonstration device. This concentrates primarily on producing a fully costed design by detailing the hydraulic design and aspects of stability as well as providing insight into various design features such as the power take-off; naval architecture; moorings and control. The design is being largely informed by the results of a 12 month research project funded by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) in which a detailed techno-economic model for a large scale OWEL device was generated.

Keywords

Wave Energy; Pre-commercial Demonstrator Design; Wave Hub

References

[1] J. Kemp; A. Derrick; J. O’Nians; and D. Upadhyay. ‘The OWEL Wave Energy Converter as a Platform for Combined Wave and Wind Power Generation’. 6th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference; Glasgow; UK; 2005.

[2] M. Leybourne; W.M.J. Batten; A.S. Bahaj; J. O’Nians and H. Traylor; Preliminary findings from a laboratory scale model of a ducted wave energy converter; 10th World Renewable Energy Congress; Glasgow; UK. 2008.

[3] M. Leybourne; W.M.J. Batten; A.S. Bahaj; J. O’Nians and N. Minns; A Parametric Experimental Study of the 2D Performance of a Ducted Wave Energy Converter. 8th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference; Uppsala; Sweden. 2009.

[4] M. Leybourne; W.M.J. Batten; A.S. Bahaj; J. O’Nians and N. Minns; Experimental and Computational Modelling of the OWEL Wave Energy Converter. 3rd International Conference on Ocean Energy; Bilbao; Spain. 2010.

[5] B. Holmes; Tank Testing of Wave Energy Conversion Systems. EMEC Standards. European Marine Energy Centre. Orkney; UK. 2009.

[6] Halcrow; Wave Hub Technical Feasibility Study; 2005; Appendix A – Coastal Processes

[7] Det Norske Veritas (DNV); Certification of Tidal and Wave Energy Converters; Offshore ServiceSpecification DNV-OSS-312; 2008.

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