Advancing Ocean Wave Energy through Research, Development and Testing Annette von Jouanne, Ph.D., P.E., IEEE Fellow Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) Oregon State University Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC)
Since 1998, OSU s multidisciplinary Wave Energy team has been pursuing innovation in several thrust areas including: 1) Novel direct-drive wave energy converters (WECs), to demonstrate the promise of wave power (essential to raise awareness/funding) -Through collaborations, have developed 13 prototypes - PTO Comparison Research, Significant Milestone (2007-2008) 2) Developed Wave Energy Linear Test Bed completed Dec. 2007 3) Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) est. in 2008
List of the 13 WEC prototypes: 1. Permanent Magnet Linear Generator Buoy (Duracell Battery Buoy, 2003-2004) 2. Contact-less Force Transmission System Buoy (Blue Bobber, 2004-2005) 3. Permanent-Magnet, Rack and Pinion Generator (Generation I, 2004-2005) 4. Transverse Flux Permanent Magnet Linear Generator (for HMSC, 2005-2006) 5. Permanent Magnet Tubular Linear Generator (SeaBeav, STTR, 2006-2007) 6. Rack and Pinion power take-off (PTO) system (Generation II, 2007-2008) 7. Traction Tire/Wheel PTO (2007-2008) 8. Windlass Spindle PTO (2007-2008) 9. Vernier Hybrid Linear Generator PTO (2007-2008) 10. Permanent Magnet Air Gap Linear Generator PTO (2007-2008) 11. L10 (Linear 10 kw, BlueRay, driven by CPT through Navy Plus-Up, using SeaBeav PTO, 2008) NNMREC established in Fall of 2008, with focus shift to developing testing capabilities leading to the Ocean Sentinel (deployments in 2012 and 2013) 12. Autonomous Wave Energy Converter (AWEC, 2012-2013) 13. Permanent Magnet, Helical Screw Drive (PMHSD, 2013-2014)
Brief OSU Wave Energy Timeline 1998 - Initiated the Wave Energy program - goal to fully explore the untapped opportunities for wave energy, leveraging the OSU assets of WESRF, HWRL, HMSC, excellent wave energy potentials off Oregon/West Coast 1998 2002, writing lots of white papers and proposals on wave energy to try to attract the necessary funding to move the industry forward 2002 - proposals start to be awarded starting with NSF (GOALI) and Oregon Sea Grant, started developing proof of concept prototypes, giving (literally) hundreds of presentations on wave energy to gain industry, utility, Oregon Delegation and Ocean Community support 2004 Started proposing a National Marine Renewable Energy Center headquartered at OSU through several federal appropriations proposals to congress and USDOE
Brief OSU Wave Energy Timeline Cont. 2005, proposed cable-to-shore test facility through outreach efforts enabled by Oregon Sea Grant (Kaety Hildenbrand) - ocean community concerned In 2006, in response to community concerns, started proposing a mobile ocean test berth (MOTB), that developed into the Ocean Sentinel 2007, awarded $3M from the state for the MOTB/Ocean Sentinel testing facilities - wanted this state funding to be integrated with, and cost share for, the future Center 2008, USDOE Water Power Program call came for proposals for a National Center NNMREC Awarded, Prof. Bob Paasch as Director, Meleah Ashford as Program Manager FY09 Federal appropriation/cdp awarded for $2.33M (from 2007 federal appropriations proposal, always 2 years forward, e.g., awarded FY10 from 2008)
Brief OSU Wave Energy Timeline Cont. Dec. 2010 Dr. Ean Amon hired as the test facilities electrical engineer and to help us with the MOTB development. 2011 - Prof. Belinda Batten starts ramping into full time NNMREC Director position, fully in place by late spring/early summer of 2011). Sept. 2011 For the MOTB, settled on the 6-meter NOMAD hull Ocean Sentinel, and working with AXYS Technologies Feb. 20 th, 2012, - Hired NNMREC Test Facilities Manager (Sean Moran), whew! July 24 th, 2012 - Ocean Sentinel arrives at Toledo, over the next 3 weeks, we integrated the switchgear, converter, load banks, umbilical cable and telemetry system Aug. 19 th, 2012 - Ocean Sentinel deployed, followed by WET-NZ on Aug. 22 nd Six-week deployment, successful testing process from beginning to end!
Why Wave Energy? Concentrated form of Solar Energy Compared to Other Renewables, Wave Energy Advantages: Higher energy density, availability (80 90%), more predictable and forecastable, low viewshed impact OSU is an Excellent Location to conduct ocean wave energy extraction research: Highest Power University-Based Energy Systems Lab (WESRF) O.H. Hinsdale Wave Research Lab Hatfield Marine Science Center Wave energy potentials off the Oregon coast.