Wave energy converters use the energy from continuous wave movements for the environmentally friendly production of electricity. They can supply electrical energy along the coast, in particular to remote locations. Structurally they are easy to integrate into moles, harbour walls and coastal protection systems.
It is a laboratory-scale wave energy converter consisting of a wave generator, a wave flume and the OWC wave energy converter with turbine unit.
To generate waves in the wave flume, a displacer is moved up and down by an adjustable crank drive. The height of the waves is varied by changing the lift of the displacer. The speed of the motor sets the frequency of the waves. At the end of the wave flume a baffle plate guides the waves into the wave energy converter.
Learning Objectives And Experiments
- Familiarisation with operating principles of a wave energy converter
- Understanding of energy generation from wave motion
- Measurement of wave motions
- Familiarisation with design and operation of a Wells turbine
- Optimisation of operating behaviour
Specification
- Wave energy converter consisting of: wave generator, wave flume and wave energy converter
- Wave generator with control unit, AC motor with adjustable frequency and adjustable lift of displacer
- Movable wave measuring device with level sensor to measure the wave height
- Baffle plate for guiding the wave into the chamber
- Wave energy converter with oscillating water column, chamber and turbine unit
- Turbine unit with rotor and generator
- Pressure measuring points to determine the flow velocity in the turbine
- Turbine load: DC motor for starting up the turbine, switches to generator for electricity production upon reaching the target speed
- Option of manual operation of the plant via switch boxes or digital operation via the software
Technical Specification
- Wave generator
- Power: 550W
- Displacement volume: 26,5L
- Wave flume
- Wells turbine
- Power: 0…1000mw
- Speed: 0…6000min-1
- Rotor: 6 blades
- Outer Ø 120mm, inner Ø 80mm
- Measuring ranges
- Frequency: 0…1,83Hz (wave generator)
- Wave height: 0…600mm
- Level: 0…600mm (chamber)
- Flow velocity: 0…26m/s
- Speed: 0…6000min-1
- Current: ±1000ma
- 230V, 50Hz, 1 phase
- 230V, 60Hz, 1 phase
- 120V, 60Hz, 1 phase
