Ocean wave energy has great attraction and promise: the resource is huge; it has a valuable seasonal correlation with demand; it is harvestable at coastlines and so in general fits geographically with the distribution of human population.  There are major engineering challenges and considerable logistical and environmental constraints but, nonetheless, there have been machines manufactured and deployed that have creatively risen to the call.

Some key goals for manufacturers are: survivability of extremes; energy productivity; structural efficiency; reliability; and practicality of installation, operation and maintenance.  All must be achieved within budget constraints such that the rate of return on investment is attractive to investors and the levelised cost of energy produced is acceptable to consumers. 

 

Specifically, this means that the statistics of machine responses to extremes must be established; that the hydrodynamic and power train efficiency must be high; that the structure should be sufficient to sustain peak and fatigue loads; quality control, monitoring and components must evolve to support reliability; the cost of operations at sea should be aggressively reduced.

In addition to these technical objectives, there are the project development requirements of site identification and preparation, infrastructure, social and environmental concerns, leasing, permitting, insurance, etc.  Moreover, while satisfying all of the above, funding must be secured, continually refreshed, and the confidence of investors maintained over the time to market.

 

Drawing on the experience of Pelamis, the presentation will share some of the challenges and achievements of ocean wave energy.