Feasibility Study On Submerged Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Devices: Progress Report 1St July 1979 To 31St May 1980

Abstract

The period covered by this report (July 1979 to May 1980) has seen the emergence of two new devices, the Submerged Wave Chamber and the Twin Oscillating Water Column. Both these concepts are logical extensions of the original Vickers device which suffered from a bulky air volume resulting in large construction costs. The new devices, working on a similar principle but without the large air volume, have proved to be cost effective, although their roles are expected to be different. The Wave Chamber is an attenuator, designed to be moored submerged on tension leg moorings in deep water. The Twin Oscillating Water Column, which does not require wave spanning capability for its operation is envisaged as an inshore submerged device, piled into the sea bed. The devices were first tested experimentally in November 1979, and the results were very encouraging. Further tests were made with a Twin Oscillating Water Column point absorber (a modification of the original Vickers device model) and a modified Wave Chamber, in February 1980. The results of both the November and February experiments are presented in this report. We have been able to make extensive use of the Edinburgh Tank Facility. It has enabled us to do in months what would have taken years previously, and we were fortunate in being the first team to use the full facility. The findings of the experiments are voluminous and have led to a much better understanding of the devices and water columns in general.