Specialised wave energy technology company Ocean Energy recently completed the first successful sea trials for a wave energy converter. The device known as the OE Buoy has been undergoing extensive sea trials for the past eight months at the Marine Institute/SEI Wave Energy Test Site in Galway Bay. The test results, validated by the Hydraulic Marine Research Centre (HMRC) at University College Cork (UCC), represent a major breakthrough for Irish technologists in the search for viable alternative energy sources.
The device has been subjected to a wide range of wave conditions over the last eight months including a severe storm on New Year’s Eve when a wave height of 8.2 metres was experienced. The mooring system had no difficulty coping with these conditions and the whole system did not suffer any ill effects from the extreme waves.
The company has been working with UCC, the Irish Marine Institute and Queens University Belfast over the last five years to develop a device for generating power from waves. The HMRC captured and analysed the Galway Bay data from the OE Buoy. The results confirm previous findings obtained in earlier tank tests carried out by HMRC staff at Ecole Central de Nantes, France and UCC.
Dr Tony Lewis of the Hydraulic Marine Research Centre at UCC says the results are very encouraging. He believes Ireland has incredible potential for wave energy generation. “If Ireland could capture this opportunity then we have the potential to create a substantial number of jobs, solve our energy problems, and become a world leader in the production of wave energy devices,” he said.
John Keating of Ocean Energy Ltd. said the data collected indicates the project is commercially feasible. Mr Keating said “the results also show that the Government’s wave energy generation target of 500 mega watts by 2020, as set out in its Ocean Energy Strategy, is achievable.”
Dr Lewis says there is no reason why Ocean Energy should not become a world leader in the production of wave energy generation devices.
“This business is in its infancy. You can’t go out and buy a commercial wave energy device. It’s a whole new industry, similar to the car industry when Henry Ford started.”
To date, two Irish companies have developed and tested prototypes at the ocean energy test site in Galway Bay: Ocean Energy Ltd and Wavebob Ltd.
Mr. James Ryan, Marine Institute said that “Ocean Energy Ltd., along with the other very active wave power development company, Wavebob Ltd, have helped to consolidate Ireland’s position as a significant player in the global energy sector.”
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Note
Ocean Energy was founded in 2002 by Michael Whelan & John McCarthy.
Michael Whelan, Director, Michael has over 30 years experience working in an offshore environment as a commercial diver and salvage expert operating his own towing and salvage company.
John McCarthy, Director. John is an Accountant by profession and has been heavily involved in the development of onshore wind generation.
John Keating, Director. John holds a degree in Business Studies specialising in Accountancy and Finance. He is a Director of Firestone Developments Limited a specialist Services Company with particular skills in the areas of tax based property transactions and was recently appointed to the board of Ocean Energy Limited.
The OE Buoy is a floating system which has high wave energy capture efficiency. It has a robust shape, which ensures full seaworthiness and good survivability. The hull is well suited to conventional shipyard production techniques. The device is barge shaped and is easy to tow and moor on station and is designed to operate in water depths of between 30 and 50 metres.
The 28 tonne OE Buoy was assembled at Cork Dockyard and after stability trials in Cork Harbour was towed to Galway, where it was moored off Spideal on Christmas Day 2006.
For further information see the Ocean Energy website.
The Wave Energy Test Site was developed by the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland. For further information see the Ocean Energy and Marine Technology Section of this website.