“If we can move these devices offshore they could serve other industries as well. The research also looks at the integration of the OWC wave energy conversion technology into offshore floating maritime structures where a seabed foundation is too expensive. This process has been best described by (renewable energy pioneer) Dr Tom Denniss as essentially building an artificial blowhole.” Basically the water column inside each of the OWC chambers acts as a piston moving air in and out of a turbine to generate electricity. It causes a rise in the water column and then it falls, which generates bi-directional air flows.
“As the waves interact with the device we get a rise and fall in the water column inside each of the chambers. Mr Howe said the experimental model had up to seven OWC wave energy converters each of which produce bi-directional air flows: “We are able to generate relatively big waves when operating at our intended water depth, and when you have bigger waves you are able to investigate both the performance and survivability of different device concepts and that is very important area for offshore renewables research." He said the AMC Model Test Basin has the ability to generate waves of up to 200 mm high at the operational water depth explored during his investigation. The Bachelor of Ocean Engineering graduate has found the 35 metre by 12 metre and one metre deep AMC Model Test Basin to be the ideal facility for the research. The results of this analysis are also very positive.” So that would be really good for a coastal region or a harbour where it could potentially serve a multiple purpose. Recent research had been into the performance of the device in irregular seas. We got really good results and found that we were able to nearly double the energy absorption from our device by integrating it into the breakwater. “The results thus far are positive for integration of the Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converters into the floating breakwater. He has carried out nearly 2000 experimental investigations in two separate episodes in July/August 2018 and in January 2019. In particular he is looking at the potential to generate energy using Oscillating Water Column (OWC) Wave Energy Converters (WECs) which operate in a way which has been described as “an artificial blowhole”. The research is looking at whether integration of wave energy devices into coastal infrastructure such as a floating breakwater can be viable. Wave energy may be generated in the future from breakwaters, harbours and other maritime infrastructure if research by AMC PhD student Damon Howe checks out.
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