Challenges and lessons learned in the deployment of an offshore oscillating water column

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the lessons learned from the successful deployment of a wave energy converter (WEC) and accelerate growth in the field of ocean energy. Design/methodology/approach -A thorough, well structured, documented, industrial approach was taken to the deployment because of the depth and scale of the task required. This approach is shown throughout the paper, which reflects the importance of a comprehensive project plan in success as well as failure.Findings -The findings demonstrate the viability of the use of off shore WEC to generate electricity and that such a project can be completed on time and on budget.Research limitations/implications -The research implications of the paper include the importance of an enhanced, integrated supervisory system control in terms of efficiency, operation and maintenance, and long-term viability of WECs. This paper can be used to help guide the direction of further research in similar areas. Practical implications -The practical implications include proof that WEC deployments can be carried out both on time and under budget. It highlights much of the practical data collected throughout the course of the project and presents it so that it might be used as a guide for future projects.

Lessons learned using electrical research test infrastructures to address the electrical challenges faced by ocean energy developers

“…The electrical equipment to be used in the Ocean Energy buoy deployment was connected to the electrical test infrastructure, as shown in Fig. 4 [34]. The equipment consisted of an ABB frequency converter, Sunny Island inverters, batteries, load controllers, PLC panels and PC, and sensors.…”

Deployment and Maintenance of Wave Energy Converters at the Lysekil Research Site: A Comparative Study on the Use of Divers and Remotely-Operated Vehicles

“…These costs could possibly be lowered by making some of the procedures automated with the use of ROVs. To this day, few articles have been published concerning the deployment and operation and maintenance of wave or tidal energy devices [23,24] and of offshore renewable energy conversion technologies [25], while robotics are increasingly present in offshore O&G applications [3,4,26,27]. The development of robotic and automated tools is essential to enhancing the deployment phase of any offshore renewable energy device and this paper offers a first comparison of the use of divers and ROVs in these operations.…”

FP7 EU funded CORES wave energy project: a coordinators' perspective on the Galway Bay sea trials

“…With so many partners involved with those working on the project exceptionally busy at certain times, it was sometimes difficult to keep all partners up to date with the progress of the project and to share data with them (Kelly et al, 2012). A public human machine interface that all users would have access to without disrupting those monitoring the buoy would have been a useful addition.…”