The new wave energy converter WaveCat: Concept and laboratory tests

Fernández, Hernán Mattes; Iglesias, G.; Carballo, R.; Castro, A.; Fraguela, J.A.; Taveira-Pinto, Francisco; Sánchez, M.

doi:10.1016/j.marstruc.2012.10.002

Cited by 125 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In fact, it is built as a robust concrete structure with the turbine shaft and the gates controlling the water flow as virtually the only moving part in the mechanical system and the structure is safe even with malfunctioning of these moving parts (Figure 2). Further, thanks to the sharing of the infrastructures and their construction costs (for the function of coastal defence), they tend to be more economically viable than offshore floating WECs, such as Wave Dragon [2] and WaveCat [3].…”

Section: Obrec Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Economic Assessment of Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC): A Case Study in Western Australia

et al. 2016

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This paper constructs an optimal configuration assessment, in terms of the financial returns, of the Overtopping BReakwater for wave Energy Conversion (OBREC). This technology represents a hybrid wave energy harvester, totally embedded in traditional rubble mound breakwaters. Nine case studies along the southern coast of Western Australia have been analysed. The technique provides tips on how to estimate the quality of the investments, for benchmarking with different turbine strategy layouts and overlapping with the costs of traditional rubble mound breakwaters. Analyses of the offshore and nearshore wave climate have been studied by a high resolution coastal propagation model, forced with wave data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Inshore wave conditions have been used to quantify the exploitable resources. It has been demonstrated that the optimal investment strategy is nonlinearly dependent on potential electricity production due to outer technical constraints. The work emphasizes the importance of integrating energy production predictions in an economic decision framework for prioritizing adaptation investments.

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Section: Obrec Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A great number of wave energy converters (WECs hereinafter) have been developed over the last twenty years in order to transform wave energy into electrical energy (e.g., [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]). Despite large efforts made by several countries, none of these innovative technologies is ready for the commercial stage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic Assessment of Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC): A Case Study in Western Australia

et al. 2016

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“…Following initial tests of a 1:30 model [27][28][29] a new version of the WaveCat model was built at the University of Plymouth at the same scale, Figure 2, for extended tests. The main dimensions of the model are length of 3 m, height of 0.6 m and maximum width of 0.4 m. The main section of the model was manufactured from aluminium, with the tanks and top mounted wave deflector fabricated from polypropylene sheet.…”

Section: The Wavecat Model and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The above impacts are not necessarily negative, as a wave farm extracting energy from an incoming wave field can protect vulnerable coastlines [20][21][22] or other renewable energy installations [23,24]. Thirdly, a WEC must be chosen to suit the conditions in which energy extraction is occurring, both to minimise negative impacts and to efficiently capture energy in a commercially [28]). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laboratory Tests in the Development of WaveCat

et al. 2016

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WaveCat, a novel overtopping Wave Energy Converter, was tested with the aim of determining its performance under different sea states, establishing a starting point for optimisation of the device, numerical model validation and proof-of-concept for the control systems. The tests were carried out at a 1:30 scale in the Ocean Basin of the COAST Laboratory at University of Plymouth. A state-of-the-art control system was implemented, and overtopping rates and device motions were recorded alongside the wave field. It was observed that power generation is dependent on both the wave height and period, with smaller periods tending to produce greater overtopping rates, and therefore greater power generation, for the same wave height. Due to time constraints in the laboratory, only one configuration of draft/freeboard was tested; with this configuration, overtopping occurred under significant wave heights of 0.083 m or more, corresponding to 2.5 m or more in prototype values. These experimental results form the basis for future development and optimisation of WaveCat.

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“…In fact, the global wave energy potential resource has been estimated at 10 TW [22], and depending on what is considered to be exploitable, this covers from 15% to 66% of the total world energy consumption [40,41]. Its technology is in its infancy, despite recent research on Wave Energy Converters (WECs) [42][43][44][45] and its structural response [46][47][48], and it presents higher levelised costs than any non-renewable energy and also than most renewables [49]. Therefore, at present, wave energy is only economically viable if subsidized.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Wave Energy Competitiveness through Co-Located Wind and Wave Energy Farms. A Review on the Shadow Effect

Astariz

Iglesias

2015

Energies

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Abstract:Wave energy is one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels due to the enormous available resource; however, its development may be slowed as it is often regarded as uneconomical. The largest cost reductions are expected to be obtained through economies of scale and technological progress. In this sense, the incorporation of wave energy systems into offshore wind energy farms is an opportunity to foster the development of wave energy. The synergies between both renewables can be realised through these co-located energy farms and, thus, some challenges of offshore wind energy can be met. Among them, this paper focuses on the longer non-operational periods of offshore wind turbines-relative to their onshore counterparts-typically caused by delays in maintenance due to the harsh marine conditions. Co-located wave energy converters would act as a barrier extracting energy from the waves and resulting in a shielding effect over the wind farm. On this basis, the aim of this paper is to analyse wave energy economics in a holistic way, as well as the synergies between wave and offshore wind energy, focusing on the shadow effect and the associated increase in the accessibility to the wind turbines.

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The new wave energy converter WaveCat: Concept and laboratory tests

Cited by 125 publications

References 26 publications

Economic Assessment of Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC): A Case Study in Western Australia

Economic Assessment of Overtopping BReakwater for Energy Conversion (OBREC): A Case Study in Western Australia

Laboratory Tests in the Development of WaveCat

Enhancing Wave Energy Competitiveness through Co-Located Wind and Wave Energy Farms. A Review on the Shadow Effect

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