Dissertação
Techno-economic analysis of breakthrough concepts into the OWC spar-buoy EVALUATED
The intensive research and development in wave energy technologies have underlined some of the barriers and challenges that have prevented the wave energy converters from reaching commercialization. Amongst these there is the reliability and survivability of the devices, the lack of experience in logistics, operation and maintenance and the economic competitiveness of the available technologies. In this context the study focuses on the integration of innovative technology solutions integrated into the OWC spar-buoy, selected as a reference wave energy converter. In order to overcome the aforementioned common issues for wave energy converters, six breakthrough concepts have been developed for the OWC spar-buoy, within the scope of the WETFEET EU project. The breakthroughs are: enhanced added mass (EAM), negative spring (NS), survivability submergence (SS), shared moorings (SM), dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) and tetra-radial turbine (TRT). These innovative concepts are described in the study together with the changes they involve on the reference device. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of the six breakthroughs on the economics of a project involving the installation of a wave energy farm, with a target capacity of 5 MW. Therefore, a detailed LCOE analysis is performed using a model developed at WavEC Offshore Renewables. The six breakthroughs are thoroughly analyzed from a technological point of view in order to understand their effects on both capital and operational expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX), as well as on the annual energy production (AEP).
novembro 16, 2017, 11:0
Publicação
Obra sujeita a Direitos de Autor
Orientação
