The 20 official qualified teams for the Wave Energy Prize are currently preparing for the construction of scaled models of their wave energy devices ahead of small-scale tank testing.
According to Wave Energy Prize administration, the teams are preparing to build 1:50 scaled models of their their devices in order to conduct numerical modeling and tank testing.
In addition to the numerical modeling and small-scale testing, the teams will be resubmitting their technical submissions along with completing the 1:20 scale model design and construction plan.
Small-scale devices will be tested in wave tanks at Oregon State University, Stevens Institute of Technology, the University of Iowa, the University of Maine, and the University of Michigan.
Following the completion of the tests, the qualified teams will then submit their designs for review. Results of small-scale testing and associated documentation are due to Wave Energy Prize administration by January 29, 2016.
Up to 10 finalists and alternates are expected to be announced on March 1, 2016, after which the seed funding distribution for the finalists will begin.
The selected teams will have the opportunity to receive funds to build their 1:20 scale WEC prototypes, which are scheduled to undergo tank testing at the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Maneuvering and Seakeeping (MASK) Basin at Carderock, Maryland, beginning in the summer of 2016.
Wave Energy Prize competition was launched by the US Department of Energy to encourage the development of game-changing wave energy conversion (WEC) devices that will achieve the DOE’s goal of doubling energy capture, thus reducing the cost of wave energy and making it more competitive with traditional energy solutions.
The team that ranks the highest after testing the 1:20 scaled WEC device model will be awarded $1.5 mln. The second team will win an award in the amount of $500.000, and the third-placed tam will be awarded $250.000.
Image: Wave Energy Prize/Illustration