Wavebob
|
| |
| Privately Held | |
| Industry | Wave Energy |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Ireland, USA |
Key people |
Andrew Parish -CEO Göran Dandanell -Chairman William Dick -Inventor Dr. Jochem Weber -Research Manager Dr. Ronan Costello -Hydraulics Team Leader |
| Products | [WECs] Wave Energy Conversion Buoys |
Wavebob was a wave energy converter which was in development between 1999 and 2013.[1] It commenced the first of a number of sea trials in Galway Bay in Ireland during which it was tested its a 1/4 scale device for short periods at the SEAI 1/4 Scale Wave Power Testing facility[2] which is located in the inner bay inside the natural Aran Islands breakwater and where devices under test are exposed to c.1/3 of the expected energy of the 'Full Atlantic Ocean'.[3][4]
Technology
Wavebob used the lift and fall of ocean waves to drive generators
The Wavebob consisted of two oscillating structures. These structures must be able to absorb in a variety of conditions and be robust to survive in the harsh marine environment. The structures are controlled by a damping system that can respond to predicted wave height, wave power and frequency. The tank structure (a semi-submerged body) uses captured sea water mass as the majority of its inertial mass. This significantly reduces the cost associated with structural materials.
Wavebob developed its business through an Open Innovation Model and was partnered with leading energy companies such as Chevron and Vattenfall. It established a joint venture company with Vattenfall called Tonn Energy[5] to develop commercial wave farms off the west coast of Ireland.
Company milestones
1999: Original patents filed
2001: Company established
2002: 1/50 scale tank tests in University College Cork
2003: 1/20 scale tank tests in Hanover
2004: Selected for Carbon Trust ‘Marine Energy Challenge’
2006: First sea trials, ADM1
2007: CEO appointed; head office in Maynooth established
2007: Chevron technical services agreement
2007: Second sea trials, ADM2
2008: Vattenfall R&D agreement
2008: US company established
2009: SML17 sea trials
2009: JV with Vattenfall established – Tonn Energy
2009: Lockheed Martin teaming agreement
2009: European Commission Seventh Framework Programme fp7 contract €5m
2010: Sound & Sea Technology Teaming Agreement
2010: ESB International Technical Partnership Agreement
2010: SML40 tests, Maritime Research Institute Netherlands Netherlands
2010: Bord Gais Invests in Wavebob
2010: US Department of Energy grant $2.4m
2010: Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership with Maynooth University
2011: Abengoa partnership
Awards
“Innovation Company of the Year” – Engineers Ireland, 2006
“Green Innovation Company of the Year” – Green Awards, 2008
“Ocean Energy Technology Pioneer” Award – Energy Ocean Conference, 2010
“Green Machine of the Year” – Science Gallery, 2010
See also
Wave farm
Maritime Research Institute Netherlands
Marine Institute Ireland
Pelamis Wave Energy Converter
OE buoy
References
- ↑ Downing, Louise (4 April 2013). "Wavebob Shuts Down After Failing to Raise Funds, Find Partner". Bloomberg. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
- ↑ Description of Galway Bay Wave Test Facility from SEI Website
- ↑ Ireland Wave Atlas Online GIS . SEI Quarter Scale Test Site Located At -9.269W 53.233N
- ↑ Ireland Wave Atlas Online GIS . SEI Full Scale Model Test Site To Be Constructed and Located At -9.989W 54.164N Coming Onstream 2011 or 2012
- ↑ Tonn Energy
Further reading
- Falnes, Johannes (2002). Ocean Waves and Oscillating Systems. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-01749-1., 288 pp.
- McCormick, Michael (2007). Ocean Wave Energy Conversion. Dover. ISBN 0-486-46245-5., 256 pp.