Oscilla Power to test wave device in July

Seattle-based wave energy developer, Oscilla Power, is working on the optimization of its scaled wave energy device ahead of July testing.

The company is developing a two-body multi-mode point absorber consisting of a catenary moored surface float and a suspended asymmetric heave plate as part of the Wave Energy Prize challenge.

The team running for the Prize is currently working on the optimization of the surface float and heave plate of the 1:20 scaled WEC.

“The first purchase orders have been placed for components that will allow us to characterize the much larger representative PTO’s on the 1:20 scale model,” the team said.

Also, Oscilla Power team signed a contract to perform pre-testing of the 1:20 device at the the University of Maine (UMaine) Harold Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab, scheduled to take place in July.

Triton converter works when ocean waves excite the surface float, and cause it to react against the heave plate, generating tension changes in the tethers.

These tension changes are applied to a linear drivetrain, consisting of a hydrostatic load amplification system and a variable reluctance generator that translates the low displacement, high force mechanical energy input into electrical energy.

Last month, Oscilla Power, along with 8 others, was selected a finalist for the Wave Energy Prize securing the chance to win a prize purse totaling more than $2 million.