SuperGen Marine Energy Research Nova Scotia Energy Research & Development Forum Henry F Jeffrey Nova Scotia, May 08 University of Edinburgh
Summary Who we are. Supergen 1 Supergen 2 Summary
Core Partners EPSRC-funded 4 year collaborative project University of Edinburgh Queen s University Belfast Heriot Watt University University of Strathclyde Lancaster University
Affiliates University of Durham Southampton University Robert Gordon s University University of Manchester University of Exeter University of Highlands & Islands Millennium Institute
Overseas Partners HMRC Cork TU - Delft ECN - Nantes Oregon State University, Florida Atlantic University Dalhousie University Universities of Osaka City and Hokkaido - Japan Harbin Engineering University, Guangzhou Institute for Energy Conversion (CAS) and Dalian University of Technology - China
Collaborators Aberdeen City Council AEA Technologies Ltd Aquatera Aquamarine Power Ltd Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd Black and Veitch The Carbon Trust The Crown Estates DTI Entec ECN Nantes (Fr) EMEC The Engineering Business The University of Exeter HIE HMRC (RoI) Keppel Offshore Marine The Met Office Marine Current Turbines NaREC Newage AvK Ocean Power Delivery Orcina Orkney Island Council Scottish Power Scottish Enterprise Scottish and Southern Energy SEPA SNH Teamwork Technologies (NL) TU Delft (NL) Wavegen
The SuperGen Marine Energy Research Consortium Phase 1 Oct 2003 Sep 2007 Phase 2 Oct 2007 Sep 2011
Aims Phase 1 To increase knowledge and understanding of the extraction of energy from the sea To reduce uncertainties for future stakeholders in the development and deployment of the technology To enable progression of new marine energy concepts and devices into true position in a future energy portfolio. Generic outcomes 3-10 yr horizon leading on to paths to equipment and energy markets.
Work packages 1. Appraisal of marine energy resource 2. Methodologies for device optimisation 3. Engineering Guidance 4. Offshore energy conversion and power conditioning 5. Chemical conversion and transport 6. Network Interaction of Marine Energy 7. Lifetime economics 8. Moorings and Foundations 9. Novel control systems 10. Full-scale Field Validation 11. Laboratory Testing Procedures 12. Macro-Economic Appraisal 13. Dissemination and Outreach
The SuperGen Marine Energy Research Consortium Phase 2 Oct 2007 Sep 2011
Phase 2 Aims and objectives Generic research with long-term objectives to: 1. To increase knowledge and understanding of device-sea interactions of energy converters from model-scale in the laboratory to full size in the open sea. 2. Reduce risk and uncertainty for stakeholders in the development and deployment of technology; 3. Enable progression of marine technology and energy into true positions in future energy portfolios.
Phase 2 Work Streams WS1 Numerical and physical convergence WS2 Optimisation of collector form and response WS3 Combined wave and tidal effects WS4 Arrays, wakes and near field effects WS5 Power take-off and conditioning WS6 Moorings and positioning WS7 Advanced control of devices and network integration WS8 Reliability WS9 Economic analysis of variability and penetration WS10 Ecological consequences of tidal & wave Energy conversion WS11 Doctoral Training Programme WS12 Dissemination and Outreach
WS1: Numerical & physical convergence There has been a revolutionary increase in the power of numerical modelling for analysis of waves, tidal currents and marine technologies. Numerical modelling, scaletesting and full-scale testing will be advanced to more confidently predict working performance.
WS1: Numerical & physical convergence We are embedding multiple layers of complexity within modelling suites. These models will be homologated and validated against devices across the range of scale.
WS1: Numerical & physical convergence Numerical modelling, tank testing, part- and full-scale testing will be aligned to provide consistent and confident predictions of performance
WS2: Optimisation of collector form Genetic algorithms, numerical modelling and tank testing is being used to evolve better, even optimal, designs of wave energy converters.
WS3: Combined wave and tidal effects Tidal current converters are installed and operate in seas with wave action. Wave converters are influenced by currents and water level changes. This work is advancing design, prediction and test procedures to recognise this. Tests will be conducted at Queens, Edinburgh and a new dedicated 1/10 th scale facility at Portaferry and at EMEC
WS4: Arrays, wakes and near field effects Array interactions will affect the design and performance of both tidal current and wave converters individually and collectively. This work is determining the local impact of multiple devices on the energy flux environment and on each other to identify optimal configurations and control strategies for arrays.
WS5: Power take-off and conditioning The prime-mover, drivetrain, generator and power converter must be designed from the outset in an integrated manner, fit for the purpose in the working environment. This work is integrating structural, magnetic, thermal and electrical designs to optimise performance:cost ratio.
WS6: Moorings and positioning Moorings for arrays of wave or tidal energy converters must be designed to ensure safe and economic operation. This work is establishing design methods for the safe, economic station keeping of arrays taking account of short and long term loading in combined wave, current and winds to predict coupled response from combined device and mooring loads.
WS7: Advanced control/network integration The sea is a non-linear non-stationary environment. This work is developing continuously adapting control techniques to optimise energy extraction and survivability. Interaction of arrays of devices with actively controlled distribution networks assesses impact.
WS8: Reliability This work will establish an effective method to quantify the reliability of marine energy converters even in the scarcity of industry-specific component failure rates and environmental data. It will explore the effect of changing maintenance strategy on availability in arrays.
WS9: Economic analysis of variability and penetration This work is predicting the pattern and timing of future uptake of marine energy by the market, recognising its nature and location recognising the variability of generation and peripherality of sites.
WS10 - Ecological Consequences of Tidal and Wave Energy Conversion This work is establishing the principal ecological consequences of the extraction of tidal and wave energy in coastal and offshore zones. It is exploring the extent to which such changes be predicted from forecasts of change in the ambient flow field, energy and associated particulate regimes, and whether these are observable in the field or amenable to compliance monitoring for statutory purposes.
WS11 - Doctoral Training Programme This is attracting, sponsoring and training 24 doctoral students to re-vitalise the supply of trained scientists and engineers for the academic, industrial and infrastructure sectors of marine energy. It operates across core and affiliate universities.
WS11 - Doctoral Training Programme Years 1&2 Subject(s) Venue Autumn Wave and tidal current hydrodynamics Edinburgh Winter Physical test skills Orkney Spring Reliability Durham Summer Economic principles Sclyde Year 3 Subject(s) Venue Autumn Power systems and network integration Manchester Winter Commercialisation, entrepreneurship, Oxford IP, patent law Career development, skills marketing and management
WS12 Inreach, dissemination and outreach Workshops, seminars and conferences will be organised to bring into context UK research activities elsewhere in Europe. Government, agency and industrial in-reach will be promoted through advisory forum and collaborators. There will be 8 six-monthly workshops to inform and enable the community to provide feedback on the direction of the proposed research.
Summary Considerable work completed Outcomes of Phase 1 References and abstract to around 150 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications Even more underway Large area of work to do and international collaboration is key.
Thanks for your attention SuperGen Marine Energy Research Henry.jeffrey@ed.ac.uk
WS2: Optimisation of collector form Optimisation of the physical form and response of solid/water wave absorption systems using a robust, systematic approach. This requires: Parametric description of wave power devices classes Identification of cost functions and constraints for each class, taking into account manufacture, power take off etc.. Development of appropriate genetic algorithms utilising a combination of numerical and experimental testing for genome selection and culling.
WS5: Power take-off and conditioning Full appraisal of current electrical PTOs Analytical structural design tools for linear machines. Analysis of different bearing solutions and thermal modelling. Verification of electrical and mechanical design tools. Integrated electricalmechanical design tool Optimised electric power take-off design for generic devices
WS8: Reliability Analysis of component failure rate data from wind industry database Adapt the reliability methods currently used in the wind turbine industry for MECs. Monte-Carlo methods will be used to examine how variations and uncertainties in failure rates will determine the output from generic model. The effect of changing maintenance strategy on the availability of machines will be investigated, within the context of device arrays.