USA: UMaine wave energy testing underway

The University of Maine (UMaine) Composites Center is currently testing US Wave Energy Prize challenge finalists’ scaled wave energy devices to generate performance data that will allow a panel of judges selected by the US Department of Energy (DoE) to evaluate the teams.

The Harold Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center is one of five US facilities competitively selected to conduct 1:50 scale testing as part of the US DoE Wave Energy Prize.

UMaine will test three wave energy devices as part of this program: RTI Wave Power’s F2 QD device, Oscilla Power’s Triton WEC, and Float Inc.-BERGER/ABAM’s Rho-Cee device.

RTI F2 QD is a wave terminator-type WEC that utilizes an elongated wave front parallel float and a semi-submerged twin spar vertical spar frame. At full scale, the RTI design would be 28 meters wide, weigh about 200 tons, with a peak output of 1.5 MW per unit, which is, according to UMaine’s press release, enough to power 1,000 homes.

Oscilla Power’s Triton WEC is a two-body, multi-mode point absorber consisting of a catenary moored surface float and a suspended asymmetric heave plate.

Float Inc.-BERGER/ABAM’s Rho-Cee is an impedance-matched, optimizable, multi-band oscillating water column terminator that will be constructed in reinforced concrete.

Photos by UMaine

Anthony Viselli, Manager of the UMaine facility, said: “We look forward to working with these private companies and entrepreneurs to help them test and potentially optimize their devices. We will be helping these companies test the new devices, particularly determining their ability to convert wave energy to power.”

The Harold Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab is equipped with a high-performance rotating wind machine over a multidirectional wave basin. The facility simulates scaled wind and wave conditions, and it is also capable of conducting towing tests and testing at variable water depths.

The facility is designed for prototyping coastal and offshore structures, including ships, aquaculture facilities, oil and gas structures, and ocean energy devices.

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 winning team of the DoE Wave Energy Prize will receive a $1.5 million award, the second-place team will get $500,000, and third placed team will be awarded $250,000.

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