High speed electrical power takeoff for oscillating water columns
dc.contributor.advisor
Mueller, Markus
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dc.contributor.advisor
Tease, Kenneth
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dc.contributor.advisor
Chick, John
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dc.contributor.author
Hodgins, Neil
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dc.contributor.sponsor
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
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dc.date.accessioned
2011-01-18T14:37:19Z
dc.date.available
2011-01-18T14:37:19Z
dc.date.issued
2010
dc.description.abstract
This thesis describes research into electrical power takeoff mechanisms for
Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy devices. The OWC application is
studied and possible alternatives to the existing Induction Generator (IG) are
identified. The Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) is found to be the most
promising. Results showed that the IG could almost match the output of the PMG if it
could be operated significantly above its rated capacity. This improvement would
require only limited changes to the overall OWC system. The ability to operate
overloaded is determined by the losses and cooling of the IG. The losses in a suitable
IG were measured in tests at Nottingham University. Steady state measurements
were made of the cooling ability of the OWC airflow at the LIMPET wave power plant
operated by Wavegen (the sponsor company) on Islay. Thermal modelling combining
the loss and cooling measurements allowed the maximum capacity of the induction
generator in an OWC to be found. A simplified model that accurately represents this
system is proposed for use in system design and generator control.
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dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/1842/4642
dc.language.iso
en
dc.publisher
The University of Edinburgh
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dc.subject
renewable marine power thermal machines
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dc.subject
wave energy
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dc.subject
thermal modelling
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dc.title
High speed electrical power takeoff for oscillating water columns
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dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
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dc.type.qualificationname
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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