Abstract
Many wave energy converter developers opt to carry out scaled prototype open water testing of their device as part of their technology development. Developers who have done this recently include Sea Power (1/5 scale, Galway Bay, 2017), CorPower (1/4 scale, EMEC, 2018) and Marine Power Systems (1/4 scale, FaBTest, ongoing). Scaled open water testing offers several benefits, including more representative realisations of sub-systems, identification and resolution of technological issues associated with scaling-up, and de-risking the manufacturing and marine operational procedures ahead of commercial-scale testing. In preparation for testing in Stage 3 of the Novel Wave Energy Converter programme, Wave Energy Scotland has considered requirements of a suitable scaled open water site and the methods for selection. In common with commercial site identification, this must consider operational infrastructure, time and funding constraints, and the appropriateness of site characteristics. This appropriateness is further complicated by the need to find a site of comparable scaled water depth and where the sea-states of interest (when scaled to full-scale) are likely to occur with sufficient frequency over the duration of the intended testing campaign. This paper presents an approach, and its associated assumptions, to identify locations which have the potential to satisfy the scaled open water site considerations, before discussing the challenges to satisfy the critical testing outcomes, and the pragmatism required to meet all requirements.
Highlights
SCALE prototype testing of wave energy converters (WECs) in open water has become a recognized way of de-risking wave energy converters at technology readiness level (TRL) 5-6 ahead of construction of a commercial scale prototype. This is reflected by the number of developers following this process and the establishment of many dedicated test centres for prototype testing
Ref [1] advises that where possible scale WEC prototype testing in open water is done at an established test centre
It is possible that nearshore processes including refraction, shoaling, wave breaking and diffraction by coastline features acting on waves reaching this region are not well represented in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) model, making the wave climate in this region more suitable as a quarter-scale site than the results presented here suggest
Summary
SCALE prototype testing of wave energy converters (WECs) in open water has become a recognized way of de-risking wave energy converters at technology readiness level (TRL) 5-6 ahead of construction of a commercial scale prototype. MTSI of this type is typically equipped with: 1) umbilical cables which can connect the MTSI to the test device, allowing power transmission and communications between the two; 2) wireless technology which allows monitoring and control of the test device to be carried out remotely; 3) an onboard power supply to power both the MTSI functions and the test device; 4) power dissipation equipment which can emulate interaction with the grid; and 5) equipment which enables the MTSI to act as a navigational aid These capabilities make device testing possible at any location where wireless communication is available, safe installation and operation is feasible, and testing may be Manuscript received 16 March; accepted 26 March; published 8 Sept, 2020
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