Sea Potential prepares DUO wave energy converter for testing

The Sea Potential team has been working closely with Fred Stern and the team at Iowa University in preparation for the 1:50 scale tank testing of its DUO WEC planned for December, 2015.

The hull structures for the scaled model are complete and preparations for the integration of the PTO, sensors and data acquisition systems are underway, according to Wave Energy Prize, for which Sea Potential is competing.

Sea Potential is working with Applied Renewables Research on the PTO and instrumentation systems for a multi-mode power capture point absorber device called DUO.

The company is also working with Wood Group Kenny on the numerical modeling, using Wood Group’s Flexom coupled analysis software.

Sea Potential is a development initiative by RCV Bradenten, whose primary place of business is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in partnership with Pure Marine Gen out of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Pure Marine Gen has developed the technical knowledge, engineering and patented designs for DUO wave energy converter, and the team aims to use the Wave Energy Prize competition as a step towards deployment of DUO demonstration projects and wave farms off the coasts of North America, where RCV Brandenton contributes with US financing and development capabilities.

As reported earlier, 20 finalist teams for Wave Energy Prize are preparing for the construction of scaled models of their wave energy devices ahead of small-scale tank testing.

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 review of the results of small-scale testing, 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.

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.

Image: Wave Energy Prize