MPS completes WaveSub trials at COAST

Marine Power Systems (MPS), a Swansea-based wave energy developer, has concluded the testing of its scaled WaveSub wave energy device at the COAST facility.

The tank scale power-take-off systems tested at Plymouth University’s Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory have been developed in collaboration with experts from the University of Bath through the Centre for Power Transmission and Motion Control, MPS informed.

In addition to validating MPS’ computational simulations, the test programme has been supported by two Plymouth University post-graduate students as part of their MSc projects.

Andy Hillis, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Bath University, said: “It is a great pleasure to work with Marine Power Systems and the innovative WaveSub device provides a fascinating engineering project for scaled power-off-system design. Wave energy has the potential to provide a significant contribution to the UK energy mix and MPS are at the forefront with a novel solution.”

The European Regional Development Fund part-funded MPS’ WaveSub project through the Welsh Government with the award of a £2 million grant in October 2015.

The quarter-scale WaveSub wave energy device will be deployed at FaBTest in Falmouth Bay later this year.

The COAST laboratory is a specialist facility providing physical model testing with combined waves, currents and wind, offered at scales appropriate for device testing, array testing, environmental modelling and coastal engineering.