PES for H2020 SME Instrument phase 1: Spring-levered Ocean Power Generator (OPC-GEN)

The Feasibility Study will summarize tasks and activities related to risk assessment, market study, user involvement, Intellectual Property (IP) management, innovation strategy development, partner search and feasibility of concept. In addition, we are looking to mature our approach and get into position to address the SME Instrument phase 2 program in 2019. Energy is a commodity, but renewable sources differ from carbon- or nuclear-based energy from an environmental and sustainability point of view. Price premiums can also be obtained for off-grid power solutions. Europe has an identified ocean energy resource in the range of 1000-1500 TWh annually. This represents the largest known untapped resource that can contribute to a sustainable energy supply. The OPC-GEN stands out by being a relatively small machine capable of generating a very high torque from flowing waters, specifically, having the capacity to increase the torque without reducing the shaft speed. Extra energy can be stored in springs, especially in un-damped situations. This occurs because of the coincidence of natural frequency of a loading structure, and the induced frequency of the spring in motion. Even in damped conditions of springs (loaded situations in mechanical terms) there would still be some degree of amplification. The use of automatically opened and closed vanes are used to reduce the drag and increase the power output further. A small prototype exists, having been tested in a relevant environment (rivers) and confirming a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of TRL 6. At first, BlueOceanTec is looking to build a market entry model in the 100 kW range (catering to the needs of e.g., a small aquaculture farm). Our final goal is, however, to deliver MW-level ocean power generators, providing power with grid parity at the utility level.