Magnetic gear wave energy project bags £2.5 million

February 28, 2018

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has awarded £2.5 million to a project that is developing the power take-off (PTO) system to suit a variety of wave energy converters.

The magnetic gear project is led by Banchory-based Ecosse Subsea Systems in collaboration with Bathwick Electrical Design, Supply Design and Pure Marine Gen.

Named Power Electronic Controlled Magnet Gear (PECMAG), the project is working on the PECMAG PTO system – a modular all-electric system with magnetic gearing that is being developed to suit a variety of wave energy devices.

The system can be configured as linear or rotary PTO options that offer flexible installation and deployment possibilities, according to WES. There is no physical contact between the magnetic gears and so the system is able to ‘slip’ at high loads without damage, it is stated in WES’ project description.

The University of Edinburgh and Applied Renewables Research have been sub-contracted to provide additional support for the project.t

The project has been selected by WES for the third and final stage of its Power Take Off (PTO) program, aimed at developing solutions to convert the movement of waves into electricity.

To remind, the PECMAG project was supported with approximately £500,000 in September 2016 to progress to stage two of Wave Energy Scotland’s technology development program.

Tim Hurst, WES Managing Director, said: “This project has the very real potential to result in a robust system for harnessing wave movement and converting it to electricity. Crucially, it will be capable of surviving harsh marine conditions and compatible with a wide variety of wave devices.”

Michael Cowie, ESS Technical Director, added: “We believe the efficiency and reliability advantages of our PTO system are critical to producing wave energy converters that are cost competitive with other renewable energy technologies.”

Cowie added the WES funding would support the development and demonstration the PTO system on a wave energy converter in real-sea conditions.