Seatricity had tested the Oceanus technology in the Beaufort Wave Basin of the Hydraulics and Marine Research Centre at the University of Cork from 13th to 17th July.
The week was supported by the MARINET FP7 programme – a European Community – Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 “Capacities” Specific Programme.
During the week a number of load cases were tested including float motions, mooring loads and power output. A 1:40 scale model of the Oceanus 2 was printed with support from 3DKernow.
According to the company it gave a very accurate representation of the full scale device for tests involving form specific float drag and heave response. This included a submerged test designed to define tether peak loading when the Oceanus pump is locked down in “survival” mode, with scale waves of 6.5m Hs being tested.
A new design of WEC float was also tested in conjunction with the existing scale PTO prototype from Antigua. The float design is for a small desalination device, the focus being on deployability, with the full scale floats able to fit into a standard ISO shipping container. The power data obtained from this model will allow them to compare the energy capture of the new float design against the potential cost saving of an easily ship able device.
Image: seatricity