CORES · Components for Ocean Renewable Energy Systems

Wave Energy Convertors are at an early stage of development. First generation devices have been deployed at the shoreline and normally consist of Oscillating Water Column Systems. In order for these systems to progress towards full commercial realisation they must develop into suited to mass production. This project follows the successful FP6 funding round in which several fixed Oscillating Water Columns Wave Energy Convertors (OWC WECs) were funded at Demonstration level. These systems are now evolving from fixed to floating devices in deeper water, further offshore. This brings new challenges which this project aims to address. The project will concentrate on the development of new concepts and components for power-take-off, control, moorings, risers, data acquisition and instrumentation based on floating OWC systems. However, the components and concepts developed will have relevance to other floating device types. This project is proposed to run over 3 years. The project brings together a mix of RTD performers and SME’s selected from across the European Union for their track records, complementarity and relevant experience. The project has also enlisted the commitment of the Device Developers from the EU funded projects as Associate Partners to ensure that the project goals are both timely and relevant. The impacts of the project will be focused on reducing technical and non-technical risk in the marine environment as well as reducing the cost per kWh of generated energy. The new components and concepts will be tested on a floating OWC test platform at sea and these real, validated and verified results will be integrated into a holistic system model. This model will provide a Toolbox for wave to wire simulations of complete WEC systems.