Successful first commercial testing for new wave tanks

The successful first commercial experiment using Plymouth University's new cutting-edge wave tanks has been completed ahead of the Marine Building's Royal opening.

The Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory, located in the new £19 million facility, was used to simulate extreme conditions in order to test a new wave energy device.

The technology, developed by Offshore Wave Energy Ltd (OWEL) and IT Power Ltd, is part of a £5 million Technology Strategy Board project, and will ultimately be deployed at Wave Hub, off the North Cornwall coast, in 2013.

Ned Minns, OWEL's CTO, said: "We are delighted to be the first user of Plymouth University's COAST Lab. These tests were carried out to the highest standards and have provided data on the extreme loads that the machine will experience during the deployment. We will use this data to refine the hull design and will deploy our machine with confidence in its ability to survive the extremes of the marine environment."

The 3-week long test was designed and conducted by Peter Arber, an MSc Marine Renewable Energy student at the University.

Peter said: "It was a great opportunity for me to work on this exciting project with the support of OWEL and IT Power and to utilise the fantastic new research facilities at the University. This type of physical testing is vital to the effective design and optimisation of wave energy converters prior to installation offshore and this work will help to contribute to the continued development of OWEL towards a large-scale demonstration device."

The COAST labs are a key facility for the Marine Building, as they enable researchers to simulate a huge range of sea conditions, using multi-directional wave, current, and wind conditions.

The tanks are the most sophisticated in the country, and the University has pledged to partner with private sector businesses across the globe to develop marine renewable energy technology for the future.

Adam Corney, Marine Commercial Director at Plymouth University, said: "The aim is to build on this excellent start by using these facilities to develop our research relationships with other marine renewables partner companies and organisations. Our wave tanks will enable world class developments of this technology and secure the South West as a centre of excellence in this research."

The Marine Building will be officially opened on Tuesday 30th October by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

Provided by University of Plymouth