The wave Energy sector is an emerging and dynamic industry where numerous opportunities exist for novel applications of existing technologies and processes from other sectors. To achieve breakthroughs in affordability, wave energy conversion systems (WECS) must first secure survivability, high availability, a low capital and operational cost base and high performance. Drawing upon established or innovative technologies from other sectors offers the opportunity to accelerate progress.
Benchmarking of the existing wave energy sector has revealed a number of sub-system technology areas with large potential for improvement including: the control system, the WEC structure, the power-take-off (PTO) and the foundations and/or moorings.
An assessment has been carried out of the technological challenges facing the wave energy sector and of the cross-sector potential for technology transfer. Technology transfer may relate to fundamental physical principles, to knowledge or know-how, to adaptation of existing technology or to direct use of existing technology. As a result, a number of possibilities that could create substantial opportunities for the wave energy sector have been identified including adaptable structures technologies for survivability; structural design optimisation technologies; and powertrain technologies.
This project was lead by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult with partners Energy Technologies Institute, Black & Veatch Ltd, Ricardo-AEA, CETO Wave Energy UK Ltd, Qinetiq Ltd
Project Keywords: Fabrication, Control, Energy Storage, Magnet, Polymer, Landscaping, Operations & Maintenance, Moorings, Reliability, PTO
This landscaping study investigates the electrical connection infrastructure of wave farms. It aims to identify cost reduction opportunities specific to the electrical connection infrastructure, whereby cost efficiencies made in the supporting infrastructures would in turn improve the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) for wave farms overall.
The objective of this Mooring and Foundation Landscaping Study was to give an overview of the current landscape while exploring the potential of mooring and foundation innovations to make an impact on reducing the cost of energy for wave energy converters (WECs).
This report describes a study commissioned by Wave Energy Scotland (WES) into the potential of very large scale (10MW+) Wave Energy Converters (WECs) which aims to quantify opportunities associated with very large scale wave energy generation and provide recommendations for the future approach to its realisation.
Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has commissioned this landscaping study with the aim of identifying and analysing potential alternative generation technologies which may provide opportunities for use in wave energy and provide a step change reduction in the delivered cost of energy.
This Landscaping Study explores the use of materials, coatings and structures in the wider engineering and industrial sectors that may be relevant to the progression of wave energy technology.
This Landscaping Study provides guidance on the application of existing methods and standards relevant to the design and analysis of WEC devices.
This additional Controls documentation provides a condensed background description of Power Take Off modelling requirements, and Power Take Off specifications for control systems developers.
This Landscaping Study provides a description of WEC control requirements in both generalised and control-centric terms so as to encourage engagement with the wider control engineering community.
This Landscaping Study provides a description of WEC control requirements in both generalised and control-centric terms so as to encourage engagement with the wider control engineering community.
