Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | 2002-12-46-1-2 | |
| Title | Harnessing ocean waves to generate electricity | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Ocean Energy) 100%; | |
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (General Engineering and Mineral & Mining Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Mr The Project Manager No email address given Ocean Wavemaster Limited |
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| Award Type | 3 | |
| Funding Source | Carbon Trust | |
| Start Date | 01 November 2003 | |
| End Date | 31 October 2004 | |
| Duration | 12 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £161,550 | |
| Industrial Sectors | ||
| Region | North West | |
| Programme | ||
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Mr The Project Manager , Ocean Wavemaster Limited (99.998%) |
| Other Investigator | Project Contact , UMITEK, New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) (0.001%) Project Contact , University of Manchester (0.001%) |
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| Web Site | ||
| Objectives | The primary objective of the project is to design and test a large-scale (20m) model of Wavemaster to confirm its technical and commercial viability. The tests will allow evaluation and optimisation of the system mechanics, and confirmation of the theoretical model. The results will be used to prepare an outline design and budgetary cost estimate for a full-scale, sea-going prototype. | |
| Abstract | Wavemaster is a novel and simple concept for generating power from wave energy. It has been developed using offshore oil construction and operational techniques coupled with low-cost installation methods. Significantly, it has a subsurface location, just under the wave trough, and is therefore not subject to the high and unpredictable loadings found at surface level. Wavemaster extracts energy by utilising pressure differentials between wave troughs and wave crests. Comprising two linked chambers, one chamber is maintained at high pressure existing under wave crests, the other at low pressure under the wave trough. The flow of water between the two pressure differentials can be harnessed to generate power. This project is the second part of a three phase development programme. Phase I, funded by a DTI SMART award, comprised a feasibility study to develop a theoretical model validated by a small-scale test programme. Completed in 2002, it was undertaken at test facilities provided by UMIST and Newcastle University. The first phase demonstrated the viability of the concept and indicated that a Wavemaster machine 200m x 50m could generate up to 50MW or more, depending on sea state. At a typical North Atlantic site, a single Wavemaster would be expected to generate 440GWh per annum. This is equivalent to a potential reduction in CO2 emissions of 190,000 tonnes per year if it displaces power generation using fossil fuels. This project forms Phase II of the programme and aimsto affirm the commercial viability of the concept by designing and constructing a large- scale (20m) model for long term testing at the NaREC facility, Blyth | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 01/01/07 | |
