Technology & Innovation

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

One of the fundamental challenges in wave power generation is that installations must be able to withstand extreme weather conditions and resist seawater corrosion. Wave Energy´s technology and design solutions are based on the importance of structure survivability and system reliability. The concept design is simple and robust and the main structure protects the power production equipment from the wave forces, enabling production of power, even at extreme weather conditions.

THE SSG™ TECHNOLOGY

SSG TECHNOLOGY

The SSG-concept (Sea-wave Slot-cone Generator concept) is a wave energy converter based on the wave overtopping principle utilizing a total of three reservoirs placed on top of each other, in which the potential energy of the incoming wave will be stored. The water captured in the reservoirs then will run through turbines for electricity production. Using multiple reservoirs the overall efficiency will be significantly higher compared to single overtopping devices.

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MULTI RESERVOIR TECHNOLOGY. Our SSG™ technology (Sea-wave Slot-cone Generator) is based on the overtopping principle where the waves are captured inside a reservoir. The water runs through a turbine which in turn runs a generator that produces electricity. The amount of power generated is determined by how high above sea level the water is stored, i.e. how high the reservoir´s crest level is above sea level.

EFFICIENCY. One of the main challenges in wave energy devices is to fully utilize the whole specter of different wave heights to obtain a high degree of efficiency. To address this Wave Energy has patented the use of several reservoirs placed above each other.

The water will run up a slope in front of the structure and into the different reservoirs. The height of the wave will determine how high up the water will be stored. The bigger waves the higher up the water will be stored and the more power it will produce. The smaller waves stored in the lowest reservoir, will produce less power but they will ensure production continuity, even at lower sea states. This multi level reservoir principle enables us to fully utilize the whole specter of wave heights which results in high system efficiency.

ROUGH ENVIRONMENTS. The key factors in the design of the SSG™ structure are the robust and simple solutions that can withstand the rough marine environment. Main focuses are system reliability, survivability and long lifetime.

The turbine and the control gates are the only moving parts exposed to the sea water. This reduces the operational failure risk and minimizes the system maintenance requirements.

THE MST™ TURBINE

MST TURBINE

To further increase the efficiency of the SSG concept Wave Energy has developed a new innovative turbine called the MST (Multi Stage Turbine). This turbine will be able to utilize several heights of water on one turbine wheel. It does only have one shaft and only require one generator and grid connection system for all reservoirs.

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INCREASED EFFICIENCY. The MST turbine technology will reduce generator overall start/stop sequences compared to a conventional solution, where one turbine and one generator would be required for each reservoir. This will lead to increased system efficiency, reduced costs, smoother production and longer equipment lifetime.

PATENTED. The MST turbine concept is patented by Wave Energy and has been developed with financial support from the Norwegian Research Council.

SUCCESSFUL TESTING. Successful testing has been carried out with a 1:4 scale prototype in the water laboratory at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Trondheim.

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THE SSG BREAKWATER CONCEPT

SSG BREAKWATER

Built on the SSG Technology, Wave Energy has developed the SSG Breakwater solution. This unconventional solution offers major advantages both when it comes to wave protection, pollution free energy and cost efficiency.

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ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY AND COST EFFICIENT. The SSG wave energy technology can be built integrated into breakwaters or into other structures built for wave protection and sheltering.

RENEWABLE AND POLLUTION FREE. Building the SSGBreakwater compared to a conventional breakwater solution will be a cost efficient and environmental friendly solution, as the SSGBreakwater in addition to providing wave protection, also will produce renewable and pollution free energy.

REDUCED RISK. Structures of this type are normally located close to other infrastructures, thus the costs of construction, installation, power transfer and maintenance can be reduced considerably compared to offshore wave power generators. Both from an aesthetic and environmental perspective, this type of solution will offer major advantages.

THE SSG OFFSHORE CONCEPT

SSG OFFSHORE

The SSG wave energy technology can be built both as floating or fixed offshore installations. Large farms of floating SSGOffshore installations would be able to utilize the enormous wave energy recourses offshore and produce large amounts of electricity either for surrounding oil platforms, islands or for shore. For a fixed SSGOffshore installation a decommissioned oil platform can be utilized as the SSG´s foundation. This will prolong the utilization of the foundation and postpone the final decommission.