WAVES Water And Versatile Energy Systems Team Proposal Presentation November 20, 2008 Sean Henely Laura Hereford Mary Jung Tatsuya Saito Edward Toumayan Sarah Watt Melanie Wong Mentor: Dr. James Duncan

Agenda Problem Problem Research Question Research Question Hypothesis Hypothesis Literature Review Literature Review Methodology Methodology Timeline Timeline

Problem Pending energy crisis Pending energy crisis Increasing consumption rates worldwide Increasing consumption rates worldwide Finite resources Finite resources A need for viable renewable energy sources A need for viable renewable energy sources U.S. Energy Consumption (Quadrillion BTUs) vs. Time (Years)

Wave Energy Wave energy, in conjunction with other renewable energy sources, can help alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels Wave energy, in conjunction with other renewable energy sources, can help alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels 2 TW of energy are stored in the ocean 2 TW of energy are stored in the ocean Wave Energy Levels (kW/m of wave front)

Research Question How can we maximize the electrical output of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) as a function of wave conditions while minimizing the environmental impact and economic cost of the device? How can we maximize the electrical output of a Wave Energy Converter (WEC) as a function of wave conditions while minimizing the environmental impact and economic cost of the device? Hypothesis Modifying certain parameters of a WEC such as length, diameter, building material, etc., can maximize the efficiency of the device. Modifying certain parameters of a WEC such as length, diameter, building material, etc., can maximize the efficiency of the device.

Literature Review: Prototypes Attenuator Attenuator Oscillating Water Column Oscillating Water Column Point Absorber Point Absorber Overtopping Overtopping Oscillating Wave Surge Converter Oscillating Wave Surge Converter

Rotary Wave Energy Collector (R-WEC) Design Proposed by Daniel Dementhon Design Proposed by Daniel Dementhon Former University of Maryland Faculty Former University of Maryland Faculty Has only undergone preliminary testing Has only undergone preliminary testing Has been patented Has been patented

Methodology: Experimental Design 1) Construction 1) Construction 2) Testing 2) Testing 3) Optimization - Single WEC 3) Optimization - Single WEC 4) Optimization - Multiple WECs 4) Optimization - Multiple WECs 5) Cost-Benefit Analysis 5) Cost-Benefit Analysis

Construction Construct prototype Construct prototype Representative model of the full scale device Representative model of the full scale device Likely materials: aluminum, foam Likely materials: aluminum, foam Wave Rotor

Testing Wave tank testing Wave tank testing Power Output vs. Wave Height Power Output vs. Wave Height Power Output vs. Period Power Output vs. Period Measurements using a Multimeter Measurements using a Multimeter

Optimization - Single WEC Structural modifications Structural modifications Length Length Radius Radius Pitch Pitch Number of Helical Strips Number of Helical Strips Materials Materials Analyze turbulence patterns Analyze turbulence patterns Length Pitch Radius # of Strips

Optimization – Multiple WECs Measure wave fields Measure wave fields Determine interactions betweens neighboring WECs Determine interactions betweens neighboring WECs Use existing wave measuring systems Use existing wave measuring systems Determine optimal wave farm configuration Determine optimal wave farm configuration

Cost-Benefit Analysis Economic Considerations: Economic Considerations: Cost of development, required materials, production, installation, maintenance Cost of development, required materials, production, installation, maintenance Current electricity costs vs. cost of electricity using WEC Current electricity costs vs. cost of electricity using WEC Environmental Impact Environmental Impact Impact on ocean recreation and commerce Impact on ocean recreation and commerce Impact on fauna and flora Impact on fauna and flora

Timeline SOPHOMORE YEAR FALL 2008 SOPHOMORE YEAR FALL 2008 Literature Review Literature Review Proposed Methodology Proposed Methodology Grant Research Grant Research SOPHOMORE YEAR SPRING 2009 SOPHOMORE YEAR SPRING 2009 Finalized Methodology Finalized Methodology Testing of WEC Testing of WEC Grant Applications Grant Applications JUNIOR YEAR Further Testing Colloquia Optimization Data Analysis SENIOR YEAR Complete Thesis Thesis Conference

References Dementhon, D.F. (1982). A rotary wave energy collector. Offshore and Deepsea Systems Symposium, 1-7. Dementhon, D.F. (1982). A rotary wave energy collector. Offshore and Deepsea Systems Symposium, 1-7. Holzman, D.C. (2007). Blue power: Turning tides into electricity. Environmental Health Perspectives. 115(12), A590-A593. Holzman, D.C. (2007). Blue power: Turning tides into electricity. Environmental Health Perspectives. 115(12), A590-A593. EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre. (2008). Retrieved November 19, 2008, from EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre. (2008). Retrieved November 19, 2008, from Boussinesq approximation (water waves) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008). Retrieved November 19, 2008, from Boussinesq approximation (water waves) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2008). Retrieved November 19, 2008, from OPT: Ocean Power Technologies. (2007). Retrieved November 19, 2008, from OPT: Ocean Power Technologies. (2007). Retrieved November 19, 2008, from National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2008). U.S. Energy Consumption: by source – Retrieved November 19, 2008, from National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2008). U.S. Energy Consumption: by source – Retrieved November 19, 2008, from