AWS Ocean Energy work in the renewable marine energy sector and have developed an innovative floating wave energy convertor. Their ambition is to develop reliable, affordable and operable offshore power stations. 4c engineers have contributed at every stage of the device development.

Physical Testing, Moorings & Seakeeping

Throughout the development of the AWS-III device, it has been recognised that a comprehensive understanding of the devices interaction with its environment is essential. 4c engineers have been involved at every stage, developing their knowledge and understanding in the following areas (see boxes for more details):

Scale model testing, including design of test rigs, test procedures and instrumentation, operation at test facilities, and analysis of results;
Mooring design and analysis, including OrcaFlex simulations and physical model tests;
Climate assessment at specific sites in order to gain an understanding of likely sea conditions, wave loads and energy capture potential.

Physical Testing - Verification & Validation

The Business Need

High confidence data on energy conversion performance and device motions was required before progression to the next stage of product development. Additionally, an understanding of performance optimisation levers was required to feed into detail design.

The Project

To meet the business need, physical demonstration of the AWS-III wave energy convertor concept was required. Our engineers identified a suitable concept design through a comprehensive review of previous testing work coupled with a requirements identification process. Following detailed design and manufacture an intense period of testing was carried out at a leading wave tank facility.

Our Activities and Deliverables

The following activities were carried out by our engineers:

Requirements identification process
Concept generation and selection (meeting structural, hull, power take off, flow measurement and instrumentation requirements)
Detailed design of sub-systems and complete machine
Engagement with external fabricators to ensure a fit for purpose design through the full lifecycle with cost in mind
Procurement, system integration and assembly of device
Creation of detailed test plan
Pre-test commissioning of device in workshop
Reassembly, field commissioning and shake down trials at test location
Concurrent testing and data analysis to guide the test programme based on findings
Final data analysis, report write up and presentation of findings

The Benefits

Our engineers managed the entire test programme and conducted the engineering work from requirements analysis to final data analysis and reporting.

Full project management, testing and analysis service
High quality device performance and energy conversion data
Increased understanding and demonstration of performance optimisation levers

Despite a constrained time scale all project objectives were met, from start to finish, on time and to budget.

Moorings & Seakeeping

The Business Need

The AWS-III wave energy converter requires cost effective moorings which are capable of withstanding the extreme mooring loads that can occur at high energy yield deployment sites.

The Project

As moorings represent a significant proportion of the overall cost of the AWS-III system, our engineers have invested considerable effort into development of a cost effective mooring system.

Our Activities and Deliverables

The following activities were carried out by our engineers:

Specification of design conditions (wave, wind and current) for mooring assessment according to industry standard guidance
Preliminary mooring analyses of line loads using OrcaFlex for various proposed hull forms of the AWS-III
More detailed mooring analyses of line and umbilical loads using OrcaFlex for front end engineering design (FEED) stage
Assessment of mooring line loads via scale model tests
Participation in Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) focused on development and qualification of synthetic mooring lines for deployment of wave energy converters
Collaboration with specialist mooring system designers on development and consideration of specific mooring options
Costing of mooring system and anchor options to inform overall device costs

The Benefits

Understanding of the mooring line loads and device seakeeping for various mooring options
Understanding of the use of synthetic lines in mooring floating offshore structures
Ability to provide costs of mooring for project development and to explore various cost reduction strategies