New Hydro

摘要

Offshore Wave Energy Ltd. (OWEL) of the United Kingdom has begun a new phase of research into its Grampus wave energy converter, studying the geometric configuration of the device to optimize its performance. OWEL's Grampus device is to convert ocean wave energy into compressed air to drive a turbine and produce electricity. The Grampus unit consists of a tapered, horizontal duct floating on the ocean. As a wave enters the duct, air is trapped in the duct and is compressed between the wave and the stationary upper surface of the duct. This compressed air is taken from the duct through a valve and used to drive a conventional unidirectional turbine. OWEL's research has been funded by a grant from the United Kingdom's South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and from contributions of shareholders. In addition to studying internal geometric configuration of the device, the SWRDA-funded study is to investigate the unit's structural loading and mooring requirements. The work will utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and a series of tank tests in a selected wave basin. On completion, OWEL said it would have an optimized full-scale design and a more detailed understanding of its performance and cost characteristics.