Mid-stage development of the CCell Wave Energy Converter

最近，由TSB资助#131499进行的对弯曲的Mark 1电池桨及其控制系统的大规模实验室测试表明，与其他波浪能设备相比，预期的性能成本比提高了四倍。组件的初步海上试验正在进行中，技术现在已经准备好进行中期开发，以构建一个完整的系统。该项目吸取了Mark 1系统开发的经验教训，并将其纳入基于电池桨、其控制和基础系统的Mark 2波浪能量转换器（WEC）技术包中。该项目旨在展示电池桨阵列的经济高效性能。这将通过优化弯曲桨的形状和动力起飞（PTO）来实现，以适应广泛的海况。将开发智能主动控制算法，以便在操作设备将经历的高度可变条件下最大限度地获取电力。作为上述项目的一部分，开发和验证的数值工具将扩展到研究电池桨阵列之间的相互作用。将开发合作PTO控制策略来优化阵列性能，匹配所需功率和产生功率，并平衡设备负载和退化。原型系统将在实验室和海上条件下建造和测试，以验证概念。该项目的成功完成将使电池及相关技术进入预商用阶段。经济可行性将得到确立，阻止采用竞争对手技术的障碍将被消除。

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.