Wavebob

Wavebob was a wave energy converter which was in development between 1999 and 2013 when the company was closed owing to funding difficulties.^[1]

It commenced the first of a number of sea trials in Galway Bay in Ireland during which it was tested as 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 ^[5]

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 briefly established a joint venture company with Vattenfall called Tonn Energy^[6] to develop commercial wave farms off the west coast of Ireland.

Company milestones

1999: Original patents filed

2007: CEO appointed; head office in Maynooth established

2013: Company Closed Down.

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. ↑ Mouwen, Franc. "Presentation to Engineers Ireland 2008" (PDF). Engineers Ireland. Retrieved 13 March 2016. 
6. ↑ 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.