Wave devices can last 25 years, says Orecon
Monday 22 June 2009
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| Orecon believes its multi-resonance chamber device can last for 25 years |
A Cornish wave power developer is working towards extending the longevity of its wave device to 25 years, it has been revealed.
Speaking at Seaworks' maritime industry
conference in Southampton on Tuesday, Clive Adshead of Orecon, said that the company believed it was possible to keep a marine device in the water for 25 years.
Mr Adshead, who is director of marine operations at Bodmin-based Orecon, said: "We certainly believe that it is feasible to design offshore wave energy device for 25 years. Why not? Our device has few moving parts and is very simple in its operation."
The director told delegates that the key to extending the lifetime of wave and tidal devices is components, and he urged marine developers not to "reinvent the turbine".
Orecon, he said, was drawing on the expertise of a number of other firms that will be able to provide the best components.
The turbines for the device are being supplied by US firm Dresser-Rand (see this New Energy Focus story), while Tension Technology International are lined up to supply the tension moorings.
Norwegian risk management DNV has been commissioned to provide third party audit and certification.
Maintenance
Mr Adshead added that easy access for maintenance was also essential for the device's longevity, saying: "The important thing about designing a device that will last for 25 years is what you can do if you have to maintain it."
The important thing about designing a device that will last for 25 years is what you can do if you have to maintain it
He drew attention to the device's the only moving component, the turbine generator, which is fitted as a cassette and can be replaced offshore using a large platform attached to the device.
This, he said, works on a similar maintenance principle to offshore wind.
A scale version of Orecon's oscillating water chamber generator is currently being tested in a French tank, and the device must undergo a full finite element analysis (FEA) before DNV will permit the designs to be sent to the fabricators.
Last month the firm won a contract to install three of its 1.5MW wave devices off the Iberian coastline (see this New Energy Focus story).
The project will see Orecon set up a joint venture with Portuguese developer Eneólica, with the intention of developing further multi-megawatt sites over the next three years.
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