Manchester bobber
BACKGROUND Wave energy is a major potential source of renewable energy especially for an island nation. The total power of waves breaking on the world's coastlines is estimated at 2 to 3 million megawatts. In favourable locations, wave energy density can average 65 megawatts per mile of coastline. The majority of wave energy devices have little visual impact and are therefore unlikely to offend countryside groups as wind turbines have done. Although there is increasing involvement in offshore marine renewable construction projects, the technologies are regarded as difficult due to design complexity and off-shore conditions. Available methods are based on wave surge focussing devices, oscillating water columns or point absorber devices. There are several marine renewable technologies currently undergoing full scale trials. In the drive towards a more commercially viable and robust technology the University of Manchester with industrial partners is developing and plans to commercialise an innovative and patented wave energy device. THE TECHNOLOGY Full scale commercial representation TURNING INNOVATIVE THINKING INTO COMMERCIAL REALITY FROM IDEAS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS TURNING INNOVATIVE THINKING INTO COMMERCIAL REALITY A floating ‘bobber’ rises and falls under the action of waves in the water and causes a pulley and its shaft to oscillate. A freewheel clutch engages during descent of the float. At maximum speed the freewheel disengages, allowing the output shaft to continue its forwards rotation whilst the pulley decelerates and reverses during ascent of the float. Each float has a separate power take-off drive so that one drive can be serviced whilst the remaining floats continue to supply electricity. Only the float comes into contact with water. All vulnerable mechanical and electrical components are housed in a protected environment above the seawater surface and are easily accessible for maintenance. All the mechanical and electrical components are standard items which are already available and require little or no further development. A 1/100th scale single device was build and tested and a 1/10 scale device has now been built and tested successfully. A 5x5 1/100th scale array is currently being optimised and plans are well advanced to build a single full scale device off-shore for further proof of concept. The vision is of a full scale platform located in 30-60m of water, and with an array of 25 to 50 floats, each independently generating electricity. The overall FROM IDEAS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS aim is to create a company or commercial partnership to manufacture such a renewable electricity system and generate electricity at a competitive price. KEY BENEFITS• Effective power generation in waves from any direction
• Minimum development - all full scale power components are already available
• Serviceable components housed on the top of the platform 20m above sea level
• Floats can be flooded quickly for protection against extreme conditions
• Designed to be located in 30m-60m of water with minimal visual impact from the shore
• Competitive cost and performance APPLICATIONS Offshore marine renewable electricity generation INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY International patent applications OPPORTUNITY Licence opportunities for Distribution Network Operators world-wide CONTACT Frank Allison, Business Manager, UMIP, Fairbairn Building, PO Box No 88 Manchester M60 1QD, [email protected], Tel: + 44 (0) 161 306 8831 For further information see www.manchesterbobber.com TURNING INNOVATIVE
Type of Offer: Licensing
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