Aquamarine Power is the owner and developer of Oyster®, the world’s largest working hydro-electric wave energy converter. Oyster® has been designed to harness the abundant natural energy found in nearshore waves and convert it into sustainable zero-emission electricity.
Oyster® is a simple mechanical hinged flap connected to the seabed at around 10m depth. Each passing wave moves the flap, driving hydraulic pistons to deliver high pressure water via a pipeline to an onshore electrical turbine. Multiple Oyster® devices are designed to be deployed in utility-scale wave farms typically of 100MW or more.
Oyster® will combine high efficiency and survivability with low cost operations, maintenance and manufacture to produce reliable cost-competitive electricity from the waves for the first time.
Development status
2009 onwards – Monitoring of Oyster®'s performance at sea. Results from the testing will provide the basis for the design of the next-generation 2.4MW Oyster®.
20 November 2009 – Official launch of Oyster® by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond MP, MSP.
2009 – Installation of Oyster® 315kW demonstration device at European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) wave test site at Billia Croo in Orkney, Scotland
2009 – Full-scale onshore testing of Oyster® at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), Newcastle, England.
2008 – Fabrication of first demonstration-scale Oyster® at Nigg, near Inverness, Scotland
2003 to present - Extensive numerical modelling and wave tank testing of Oyster® at 1/40th and 1/20th scale at the world-class testing facilities at Queen's University, Belfast
Simple is best; less is more
Many wave energy devices under development rely on complex unproven technologies deployed in inaccessible locations. Oyster® is different. Oyster® combines a simple and robust mechanical offshore component with innovative use of proven conventional onshore hydro-electric components. Designed according to the principle ‘simple is best, less is more’, Oyster®’s offshore component has minimal submerged moving parts. There is no underwater generator, power electronics or gearbox. All complex power generation equipment is easily accessible onshore.
Enhanced survivability
The only wave energy device in the UK designed to be deployed in nearshore depths, Oyster benefits from the more consistent seas and narrower directional spread of waves found nearshore. Reduced wave height and load enhance Oyster®’s natural survivability. Any excess energy is spilled over the top of Oyster®’s flap; its rotational capacity allowing it to literally duck under the waves.
Maximum efficiency; cost-competitive energy
Oyster® has been designed to have high capture efficiency in the most common wave regimes and will have a peak power output of around 2MW per Oyster® (depending on location). Its lightweight structure will reduce capital costs and gives an excellent power-to-weight ratio – Oyster®’s annual average power output is competitive with devices weighing up to five times more. With multiple pumps feeding a single onshore generator, Oyster® offers good economies of scale. Modular mass production will also minimise capital costs, while ease of installation, accessibility and routine maintenance will offer highly competitive operating costs.
Low ecological impact; high environmental gain
Other wave power devices use a variety of complex power take off mechanisms ranging from oil hydraulics to linear generators, mechanical transmissions to hose pumps. By contrast, Oyster® uses water as its hydraulic fluid for minimum environmental impact. In addition, Oyster® has a minimal environmental footprint and is effectively silent in operation.
Based on the Carbon Trust’s carbon saving conversion factor of 0.43 kg per kWh, the 315kW Oyster® demonstrator which is installed in Orkney could result in an annual carbon saving of up to 500 tonnes. The next-generation Oyster® demonstration farm which is scheduled for production in 2011 could displace up to 3,000 tonnes of carbon annually. By 2020, Oyster® technology could be be displacing as much 3.3m tonnes of carbon worldwide per year.
