A wave energy converter promising reliable power generation from the ocean waves is a step closer now that a pre-commercial demonstration unit to be tested at sea enters the design and build phase. This milestone has been reached following development funding of £2.5 million secured from the UK’s Technology Strategy Board.
OWEL holds the patents for the underlying technology and is now engaged on an equity funding-round as a part of the commercialisation of the business.
The OWEL floating device is designed to take advantage of the high energy density of deep water ocean waves, and subsequent machines will be built as platforms made up of adjacent ducts moored to the sea bed and open to incoming waves at one end.
The waves repeatedly compress air trapped within the ducts which is directed to drive turbines that will generate electricity.
The advantage of this design is its simplicity and robustness, using tried and tested components and production methods. It has few moving parts, none of which are in the water, so it will be highly reliable.
The wave energy converter is being developed by Offshore Wave Energy Limited (OWEL) in conjunction with IT Power, a leader in new tidal and wave energy technologies. OWEL has assembled a world class consortium of experts to develop the marine demonstrator. They are:
OWEL – technical and project management
IT Power – lead engineer
Gifford – structural engineer
A&P Falmouth - shipbuilder
Mojo Maritime – mooring design and deployment
Narec – electrical and electronic design
University of Plymouth – control system
National Physical Laboratory – sensor equipment
Det Norske Veritas – marine standards and certification
Following extensive experimentation and modelling, the project team will now build and test a
42 metre long marine demonstrator with a target rating of 500kW of electricity. It will be tested at the Wave Hub facility off the north coast of Cornwall. A similar commercial machine deployed in open seas will have a rating of 1MW.
The Technology Strategy Board is providing £2.5 million of funding for this development stage and the consortium is also seeking further private finance.
This development phase will demonstrate the performance of a large scale OWEL unit and its ability to be deployed at sea and connected to the grid. The project will also deliver a costed, full scale commercial design accredited by Det Norske Veritas which has provided certification of wind, tidal and wave energy converters for many years.
For further information:
Ned Minns, Chief Technical Officer,OWEL
Tel: 01172 140518
nminns@owel.co.uk
John Rudofsky
Helsen Communications
Tel: 020 8786 6699
Notes to editors:
OWEL
OWEL is a company founded by the inventor, Professor John Kemp, to develop a proprietary wave energy converter for use around the world. IT Power is now the majority shareholder, with the rest of the shares distributed between Narec and a number of private individuals. Following successes at the proof of concept stage, proof of scalability, and a further round of performance optimisation, OWEL has now begun the final phase of development before it releases a commercial machine.
IT Power
IT Power is a leading international sustainable energy consultancy providing world class expertise and services. The company has 30 years experience in renewable energy and low carbon solutions. IT Power offers a complete range of services including resource assessments, energy planning and strategy, feasibility studies, due diligence, design and installation, commissioning and monitoring. IT Power provides expert advice to local and regional governments, national government departments, the European Commission, financial institutions and private companies.
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