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Challenges and lessons learned in the deployment of an offshore oscillating water column

J. Kelly (Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland and Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)
D. O’Sullivan (Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)
W.M.D. Wright (Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)
R. Alcorn (Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)
A.W. Lewis (Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland)
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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the lessons learned from the successful deployment of a wave energy converter (WEC) and accelerate growth in the field of ocean energy.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough, well structured, documented, industrial approach was taken to the deployment because of the depth and scale of the task required. This approach is shown throughout the paper, which reflects the importance of a comprehensive project plan in success as well as failure.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the viability of the use of off shore WEC to generate electricity and that such a project can be completed on time and on budget.

Research limitations/implications

The research implications of the paper include the importance of an enhanced, integrated supervisory system control in terms of efficiency, operation and maintenance, and long-term viability of WECs. This paper can be used to help guide the direction of further research in similar areas.

Practical implications

The practical implications include proof that WEC deployments can be carried out both on time and under budget. It highlights much of the practical data collected throughout the course of the project and presents it so that it might be used as a guide for future projects.

Originality/value

At the time of this paper, successful deployment of off shore WECs has been a rare accomplishment. Because the project was publicly funded, the data collected during this project, both technical and practical, is freely available.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the EU FP7 funding for the CORES project contract number 213663. The authors also wish to acknowledge the contributions of all the project partners to the research programme. J. Kelly acknowledges support from a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Research Scholarship from the Irish Research Council. D. O’Sullivan acknowledges the Charles Parsons Award from Science Foundation Ireland (Grant number 06/CP/E003), which has facilitated his work in this area and associated contribution to this research.

Citation

Kelly, J., O’Sullivan, D., Wright, W.M.D., Alcorn, R. and Lewis, A.W. (2014), "Challenges and lessons learned in the deployment of an offshore oscillating water column", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 1678-1704. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-09-2013-0307

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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