TECHNOLOGY
Current Projects
Unique Full-Scale PTO System Bi-Directional Wind Tunnel Test Facility
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Wave energy converters are generally placed in a very harsh environment and are hard to access due to their location and/or unfavorable weather conditions. With this in mind a full-scale wind tunnel test facility capable of simulating a variety of wave heights and wave periods has been built to fully test and validate Aquanet's full-scale 1MW rated capacity Power Take-Off system (PTO). The unique 1st of its kind in the world test facility has enabled Aquanet to fully test and validate the system's performance and reliability in a variety of sea conditions, thereby de-risking the system before it is deployed at sea. Significant cost savings are achieved by commissioning and fine-tuning the PTO on land prior to its deployment at sea. The full-scale PTO is designed and equipped to demonstrate the system’s capability to generate real-time electricity.
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Our Technology
The power take-off of a wave energy converter is defined as the mechanism with which the absorbed energy by the primary converter is transformed into useable electricity. The PTO system is of great importance as it affects not only directly how efficiently the absorbed wave power is converted into electricity, but also contributes to the mass, the size and the structural dynamics of the wave energy converter (WEC).
By having this direct influence on the wave energy converter, the PTO system has a direct impact on the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE). The PTO system has a direct effect on the efficiency of power conversion; hence, it has a direct impact on the annual energy production. The reliability of the PTO system affects the availability (the energy production) and the operation and maintenance cost.
Our PTO system has undergone step changes and modifications from the experience learnt through rigorous modelling, tank testing and validation in real ocean environment, particularly over the past 3 years. We have now built a robust and reliable commercial PTO system that requires very little maintenance throughout the 30 years life design of the system. The PTO system, designed to operate in all sea conditions, is now ready for onshore demonstration at full scale. It is 100% environmentally friendly, with no negative impact on marine life, no contaminants and zero emissions.
To ensure the cost-effectiveness of the WEC system, a control strategy is carefully designed for the PTO system to respond to the irregularity of each incoming wave by adjusting the stiffness and the damping of the PTO system. With a simplified design and highly efficient air turbine, the efficiency of the system is thereby increased and hence its cost-effectiveness.
The same PTO system is used for all product ranges of our wave energy converter technology, shallow water and deep water applications, with small adjustments to suit any given project location.
Global Projects Under Development
*** Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the expected dates given in the following paragraphs will be revised when certain and advised accordingly.
The safety of our staff and our supply chain remains as our primary concern. We have therefore chosen to err on the side of caution and avoid rescheduling projects’ timelines until sufficient certainties are restored.
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We wish you and your families well during these uncertain times.
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1MW Wave Energy Converter Demonstration
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Aquanet is installing the world's first 1MW single unit wave energy converter, 'aquaWAVE™', that is planned for sea deployment in 2020. The project CAPEX is fully funded by a Taiwanese power project developer with the intention of scaling up to a small array power plant in the next 2 years following the successful demonstration of the first unit at sea.
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The project will demonstrate the technology's reliability in real ocean conditions, its performance in any part of the world, with attractive economics and compelling commercial potential. Follow-on projects will deploy arrays of multiple units, capitalizing on economies of scale.
The Hybrid Project in Europe
Aquanet has commenced its integrated design activities for offshore hybrid (wind/wave and O&G) projects. Lead by Aquanet Power (UK) Limited and in collaboration with its partners, the first stage of this project will complete by Q2/3 of 2020 and will lead to the second stage of the project which includes a demonstration unit in 2021.
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Europe has a substantial focus on investment in marine renewables, making it an attractive location for Aquanet to launch it’s a hybrid project. The project aims to help reducing the LCOE to very competitive levels as predicted by a number of reports from world-renowned resources.
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Follow on projects will have a European focus, being the most developed region in the world in the renewable energy industry.
10MW Hybrid Wave & Wind Project in Taiwan
Our project partner in Taiwan is currently developing a 10MW wave and wind hybrid power plant project utilizing Aquanet’s wave and wind combined hybrid design. We are currently negotiating technology supply and turbine equipment supply terms. As a technology provider and turbine equipment supplier to this hybrid power plant project, Aquanet will benefit from the array project technology licensing and turbine sales revenue.
Large projects in other areas (15+30MW)
The FEED for the above confidential contracts is completed. The supply chain contracts are ready to proceed as soon as possible.
These contracts are based on technology licensing, engineering, and project management fees.
Customized turbine supply for a large project (confidential)
The customized version of our airWAVE™ turbine is fully designed and ready for manufacture, awaiting the outcome of our discussion with the client in relation to the schedule of delivery.
