Oceantec OWC; Wave Energy

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project consists in the installation of the OCEANTEC WEC into the sea. The OCEANTEC WEC is a point absorber device based on the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) principle able to take advantage of the energy of the waves.

At this stage, a full prototype has been developed in the North Coast of Spain, supported by the Basque Energy Agency under a Pre-commercial Procurement Contract. The testing activities of the WEC are also part of the European project OPERA (‘Open Sea Operating Experience to Reduce Wave Energy Cost’), which has received funding from the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

 

REASON OF INTEREST

Its low maintenance cost is associated to its simplicity. The converter is easily accessible for maintenance increasing reliability and reducing costs

 

PROBLEMS & OBSTACLES

The main issues are related to the visual impact and the noise emanating from the turbine at higher speed peaks affecting sea life and inhabitants.

In the other hand, from the point of view of the technology, the main drawbacks are concerned to the low power generation as a result of the variability and intermittency of the wave conditions and air pressure in the OWC.

 

SUCCESS FACTORS

Wave energy is a resource of very high availability, energy-dense, stable over time, concentrated and predictable around the world.

Its low maintenance cost associated with simplicity turns it into a competitive energy with little environmental effect and damage.

 

TRANSFERIBILITY IN MAESTRALE AREA

The Oceantec OWC Project is a very adaptable project to the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its simplicity, scalability and low environmental impacts, it can be easily installed in any part of the world. Although, considering that OWC devices work generating energy form wave energy, the best location would be areas with high wave energy resource.

>>> MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MAESTRALE

Maestrale is an initiative co-founded by European funds which is focused on the creation and development of marine or blue energy. Their aim is to promote research and investment in order to expand this kind of energy in the Mediterranean area.