Updated Ocean Energy Unit

Oceanlinx has unveiled the new design for its blueWAVE ocean energy unit that it says is smaller, lighter and cheaper for deep water applications.

The company said continued development enabled it improve performance while reducing overall costs. Each blueWAVE platform is rated at 3 MW and above, which the company says is impressive and with clustering is suitable for utility scale power generation.

The blueWAVE device is a cluster of six oscillating water columns (OWCs). The floating OWCs are joined by a space-frame anchored to a floating steel device in about 40 to 80 metres of water.

The top of each row is above sea level and houses a single airWAVE turbine and the electrical control systems.

Oceanlinx's latest design blueWAVE energy unit.

There are no moving parts under water. The OWCs act like a piston and cylinder, driving air through the turbine. Electricity is generated as air passes both in and out of the bi-directional turbine.

An area of the OWC is narrowed to accelerate the air and improve energy extraction.

Clustering increases efficiency and reduces the electrical infrastructure required and the cost.
The unit can produce electricity, desalinated seawater or both. Oceanlinx said the units are built to work for 25 years of continuous operation.

With no contaminants and moving parts, the units are safe for marine life, and may be beneficial by acting as an artificial reef. The devices will be deployed far enough off shore to have minimal visual and noise impacts.

Oceanlinx plans to raise $20 million and expand into Northern Ireland and the US. It is also developing a 1 MW project at Port Macdonnell in South Australia with grid connection expected in December.

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