Wave Treader Technology

Wave Treader Technology

Project:                   Wave Treader
Location:           UK
Sector: Offshore renewable energy wave, wind and tidal power
Duration: 6 months
Design stage: Feasibility study and concept development
Contact: John Hunter, business leader, Prospect

Client's challenge

Green Ocean Energy invited Prospect to undertake analysis of their Wave Treader innovation.
Prospect was commissioned to determine the feasibility of this concept and specifically to investigate the impact that the Wave Treader would have upon the operational life and reliability of an offshore wind turbine support structure.

"The specialist engineering provided by Prospect was pivotal in proving that our Wave Treader can be attached to a wind turbine without impacting on its structure.  It has put us in a strong position to take our business forward."

George Smith, managing director, Green Ocean Energy Ltd

Workscope and approach

Analysis by Prospect demonstrated that an offshore wind turbine can have the Wave Treader device fitted to generate an extra 500KW of electricity, sufficient to power 125 homes, with no strengthening to its structure. 

Prospect's solution

Based on data for a specific offshore wind farm site, Prospect found that the technology could be added to the offshore wind turbines without having to increase the structural capacity of the turbines foundations and substructure, and with no detrimental effect to operational life or reliability. 

Benefits

These results have a major impact on the economics of introducing the Wave Treader to offshore wind turbines.  With no modifications required to the structure or upgrade to power cables, the project becomes far more commercially viable.

Green Ocean Energy's Wave Treader clearly shows that benefit can be gained from marine energy, without dramatically increasing the cost of investing in the infrastructure.

"Prospect is very proud to have worked with Green Ocean Energy on this project as it illustrates the innovation and expertise that exists in the UK energy sector to look at new, clean and sustainable ways of power generation.

"Prospect's knowledge of the offshore industry and understanding of costs and high volume production is fundamental to supporting commercially viable renewable projects."

Kevan Stokes, principal engineer and team leader, Prospect