Two-Frequency Oscillating Water Column: Reference Design August 1983

Abstract

This report describes the optimisation of the power conversion chain and the engineering design considerations of a two-frequency oscillating water column wave power device which would form part of a 2 GW power station. Novel features of the principal device described include the multi resonant concept, which considerably widens the frequency bandwidth response, and the use of the simple efficient ·Wells self rectifying air turbine in the secondary power conversion stage. It is concluded that using estabiished technology wave power stations comprising sea bed mounted reinforced concrete structures could be constructed to produce power for 8p perkillowatt-hour during the first 25 years and for as little as l.3p per kilowatt-hour thereafter.