Development of reciprocating test-rig forwave and tidal power at the New andRenewable Energy Centre

摘要

Frequently in wet renewable energy applications the type of motion encountered is of a slowrnreciprocating linear nature. In order to test mechanical systems capable of converting thisrntype of motion into electrical energy, either directly or by hydraulic means, a test rig is beingrndeveloped capable of emulating the displacements likely to be found in wave and tidal energyrnconverters. The rig specification, capabilities and mechanical details are presented withinrnthe paper. Development of the rig necessarily involves tackling the same issues found whenrnselecting a power take off mechanism for a wave energy converter and are thus presented as arnuseful guide.