A wave conversion system based on an oscillating water column.

Wave Energy is one of the major sources of renewable energy and is pollutant free. The conversion of energy from ocean waves has attracted considerable attention in UK, Ireland, Portugal, Japan, India and Korea.

The principal of a wave conversion system based on an oscillating water column is depicted in the Figure. The energy in the ocean wave is hydraulic and is contained by the oscillating motion of water. A chamber known as the device converts the oscillating water column into an oscillating air column. The pneumatic energy from the oscillating air column is converted into mechanical energy by a unique turbine known as Wells turbine, invented by Professor Wells, former Professor of Civil Engineering at The Queen’s University of Belfast (QUB). The fundamental research and development and design methodology of the Wells turbine by the School of Aeronautical Engineering at QUB was a key component of the 75 kW Islay power plant in Scotland, built by the QUB team. The power plant station is the first wave power station to be built to an operational stage successfully.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Limerick (UL) and the School of Aeronautical Engineering at QUB are currently active in research, development and design of the next generation of wave power stations to be built in Portugal and Ireland. The focus is on modern computational, experimental and manufacturing methods for the cost-effective design of Air Turbines for wave energy conversion. The groups at UL and QUB are closely working with the Marine Institute at Dublin for the first wave power station to be built in Ireland. Ireland enjoys one of Europe’s best wave climates, with near shore resource of 50 TW hrs. The Marine Institute has developed a plan for a 1-2 mW pilot plant to be operational by the year 2000 with a total installed capacity of 25 mW by year 2010.

For further information contact: Dr A. Thakker,
Wave Energy Research Team, University of Limerick,
Department of Aeronautical & Mechanical Engineering, Limerick.