1st July 2019
Progress meeting with Dr. Khairi and Dr. Irza. Based on last week's findings, they requested me to fully understand the PTO of two devices only which are overtopping device (Wave Dragon) and wave attenuator (Pelamis). Find out the components involved in generating the power.
2nd July 2019
Read a research paper by Kofoed et. al. entitled Prototype Testing of the Wave Energy Converter Wave Dragon. They stated that the prototype version of the Wave Dragon is equipped with a total of 10 turbines:
- a siphon type on/off turbine, a illustrated in figure below (right)
- six cylinder gate on/off turbines, as in figure below (left)
- three dummy turbines which are basically calibrated on/off valves, with no guide vanes or blades, allowing inexpensive flow measurements.
3rd July 2019
Kofoed et.al. stated that Wave Dragon is unique as it utilises water energy straight through water turbines and has only one type of moving components which is the turbines. This makes the Wave Dragon suitable to be placed offshore where maintenance is difficult to perform and extreme forces seriously affect the moving parts.
The objectives of the Wave Dragon design are to:
- Optimize overtopping.
- Refine hydraulic response: anti-pitching and anti-rolling, buoyancy, etc.
- Reduce (the effect of) forces on wave reflectors, mooring system, etc.
- Develop efficient turbines for extremely low and varying head.
- Develop a turbine strategy to optimise power production.
- Reduce construction, maintenance and running costs.
Above all, the goal is to produce as much electricity as possible at the lowest possible cost.
4th July 2019
Read on Pelamis' PTO. Watched a video by ScottishPower Renewables and E.ON Climate & Renewables on Pelamis Wave Power Machine. Each Pelamis has 3 tubular power modules joined by tubular sections. Wave causes the modules and tubes to move in relation to each other. This motion is resisted by hydraulic rams in each of the joints. The hydraulic rams pump high-pressure oil through hydraulic motors. The hydraulic motors drive electrical generators to produce electricity. Electricity from all the joints is fed down a single cable to a junction on the sea bed. Several devices can be connected and linked to shore through a single seabed cable.
5th July 2019
Prepared PowerPoint presentation for next week's progress meeting.