Mid-stage development of the CCell Wave Energy Converter

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Recent large-scale laboratory tests of the curved Mark 1 CCell paddle and its control system, conducted with TSB funding#131499, have demonstrated the predicted four-fold increase in performance to cost ratio compared to other wave energydevices. Preliminary sea trials of components are ongoing and the technology is now ready for mid-stage development tobuild a complete system. This project takes lessons learned from Mark 1 system development and incorporates them into aMark 2 Wave Energy Converter (WEC) technology package based on the CCell paddle, its control and its foundationsystem.The project aims to demonstrate cost-effective performance of an array of CCell paddles. This will be achieved throughoptimisation of the shape of the curved paddle and Power Take Off (PTO) for a wide range of sea conditions. Intelligentproactive control algorithms will be developed to maximise power capture in the highly variable conditions that operatingdevices will experience. Numerical tools developed and validated as part of the preceeding project will be extended tostudy interactions between arrays of CCell paddles. Co-operative PTO control strategies will be developed to optimisearray performance, matching demanded power with generated power and balancing against device loading anddegradation. Prototype systems will be constructed and tested both in laboratory conditions and at sea to validateconcepts.Successful completion of the project will bring CCell and associated technology to the pre-commercial stage. Economicviability will be established and the barriers preventing the uptake of competitor technology will be removed.