Wavebob

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

  1. Downing, Louise (4 April 2013). "Wavebob Shuts Down After Failing to Raise Funds, Find Partner". Bloomberg. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  2. Description of Galway Bay Wave Test Facility from SEI Website
  3. Ireland Wave Atlas Online GIS . SEI Quarter Scale Test Site Located At -9.269W 53.233N
  4. 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
  5. Tonn Energy

Further reading

External links

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