CleanTechnica is the #1 cleantech-focused
news & analysis site in the world. Subscribe today!
CleanTechnica logo
Biomimicry Wave Energy Device Ready To Leave The Nest
July 1st, 2015 by Tina Casey
A new bio-inspired method of harvesting energy from the ocean has completed its shakedown on land, and now it’s finally ready for its first real test offshore. Called bioWAVE, the wave energy device won’t be venturing too far — Port Fairy in Australia is as far as it’s going — but we can hardly contain our excitement because we’ve been waiting 7 years for this moment.
BioWave wave energy schematic
A Bio-Inspired Wave Energy Device
BioWAVE first crossed CleanTechnica’s radar back in 2008, when we compared the new wave energy concept to kelp.
That might seem a little imaginative considering what the device actually looks like:
BioWave wave energy device
However, kelp is pretty much on the money in terms of biomimicry. The BioWAVE wave energy device was inspired by the way that kelp sways and pivots with the movement of ocean swell waves.
The bioWAVE actually gives you a twofer of potential and kinetic wave energy harvesting.
It consists of an array of floats that rise and fall with the up-and-down surface motion of swells, which accounts for the potential energy. The kinetic energy comes in under the surface, as the floats (or “blades”) sway back and forth.
The prototype pictured above is a 250 kilowatt model designed for operation at 30 meters, as a midway step to developing a one-megawatt commercial version for 40–45 meter depths. The eventual goal is to have entire farms of bioWAVE devices — like beds of kelp — linked together.
bioWave 2012 full res fri from Click2it on Vimeo.
From bioWAVE To Electricity
The tricky part is converting all that motion into electricity. The company behind the wave energy device, BioPower Systems (what else?), developed an on-board power conversion system it calls O-Drive.
As illustrated by the schematic at the top of this article, O-Drive is based on a high-pressure hydraulic fluid system, in which fluid is stored in a bank of accumulators. The accumulators literally accumulate the herky-jerky energy of the wave motion and release it in a steady stream to a hydraulic motor. The motor goes to a generator, and the generator cranks electricity into an undersea cable for transmission to the shore.
To pare down maintenance costs, BioPower has designed the O-Drive converter as a detachable module that can be hauled ashore for servicing.
As for inclement weather, when extreme seas threaten to damage the equipment, the bioWAVE floats are designed to collapse automatically onto the safety of the sea floor.
To get a feel for what’s going to happen when the device is deployed later this year, you can catch the bioWAVE in action on Vimeo.
Whither Wave Energy?
Wave energy is a bit of a risky venture now that offshore wind energy is taking off, but the pursuit is worth it.
One key advantage of wave devices is their relatively low profile above the surface, and in the case of bioWAVE, no profile at all. That provides much more flexibility for site selection than offshore wind turbines, which can easily run into aesthetic obstacles.
In any case, the Australian government has faith. The bioWAVE project is partly supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the government of Victoria.
This is a big year for ARENA, which is also behind the unique Perth wave energy project that launched in March.
Here in the US, wave energy is also getting a huge lift from us taxpayers in the form of a public-private shared test bed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and funding from the Energy Department so group hug.
Follow me on Twitter and Google+.
Images (screenshots): Courtesy of BioPower Systems.
Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.
How much money can a solar roof save you in New South Wales?
Profit from your roof space: find local deals on solar in your area, eliminate your power bill, and join the solar revolution.
Calculate My Savings!
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) 7Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)7 31Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)31 1Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)1 13Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)13 More
Tags: Australia, australia wave energy, bio-inspired, biomimcry, BioPower Systems, bioWAVE, Electricity, Port Fairy, united states, US, US wave energy
About the Author
Tina Casey Tina Casey specializes in military and corporate sustainability, advanced technology, emerging materials, biofuels, and water and wastewater issues. Tina’s articles are reposted frequently on Reuters, Scientific American, and many other sites. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on Twitter @TinaMCasey and Google+.
Related Posts
1280px-Dilma_and_Obama_2011
US And Brazil Pledge Jointly To Raise Renewable Energy To 20% By 2030 →
sa-parliament-house
South Australia Pushes Battery Storage In Government Buildings →
aemo-payback-forecasts
3 Out Of 4 New Solar Homes In NSW To Include Battery Storage →
Screen-Shot-2015-06-29-at-12.33.00-pm1-590×420
Payback Predictions For Solar + Storage In Australia →
Back to Top ↑
Advertisements
Top Posts & Pages
“3-4 Times More Robots” On Tesla Model X Production Line, Gigafactory Ahead Of Schedule
“3-4 Times More Robots” On Tesla Model X Production Line, Gigafactory Ahead Of Schedule
Samsung Dramatically Increases Battery Capacity (Nearly Doubles It)
Samsung Dramatically Increases Battery Capacity (Nearly Doubles It)
“Car Of The Century” Is Tesla Model S, Car & Driver Writes In 70D Review
“Car Of The Century” Is Tesla Model S, Car & Driver Writes In 70D Review
Oxis To Manufacture Li-S Batteries Achieving 400 Wh/kg
Oxis To Manufacture Li-S Batteries Achieving 400 Wh/kg
A Big Jolt For Electric Vehicle Range & Fuel Efficiency, Sparked By Tiny Jeep
A Big Jolt For Electric Vehicle Range & Fuel Efficiency, Sparked By Tiny Jeep
Our Stories via Email (Free)
All CleanTechnica Stories
Solar Energy News
Wind Energy News
Electric Vehicle News
Sites We Love
Advertisement
Connect!
Electric Cars
Electric Car Answers
Electric Cars For Sale in 2015 (US + Europe)
Electric Cars Are Greener
Electric Cars Are Totally Bloody Awesome!
Why Norway Is Electric Car World Leader
Tesla Motors News
Clean Energy
Is 100% Renewable Energy Possible?
Clean Energy Is Needed Now
… Top Clean Energy Resources
Solar Energy
Solar Energy Facts & Solar Power Facts
About Solar Energy
How Much Solar Costs In Your State
Cost of Panels, Power and Solar Energy
… Top Solar Energy Resources
Wind Energy
Wind Energy Facts & Wind Power Facts
About Wind Energy
Top Wind Power Countries Per Capita
Top Wind Power Countries Per GDP
… Top Wind Energy Resources
Search the IM Network
The content produced by this site is for entertainment purposes only. Opinions and comments published on this site may not be sanctioned by, and do not necessarily represent the views of Sustainable Enterprises Media, Inc., its owners, sponsors, affiliates, or subsidiaries.