The Oyster® system has been designed to deliver cost effective power. The same design objective drives the development of all of Aquamarine’s technologies: to reduce the cost of delivering electricity and fresh water generated by marine energy. Aquamarine has succeeded in delivering a number of advantages to ensure that Oyster® will deliver cost effective power.
1. Reliable and Fault Tolerant
Oyster® has been designed to be fault tolerant, with materials and components that have proven high-reliability in the hydro-electric and offshore sectors. The natural movement of Oyster® allows it to avoid the large loads that can occur on fixed structures subjected to plunging breakers during major storms. The maximum wave heights are also limited in shallow near shore waters, which reduces peak wave loads on the device.
The design has been subjected to rigorous third party testing and design verification to ensure maximum reliability in all conditions, with a design life of twenty five years.
2. Competitive Cost – Economies of Scale and Low Weight to Power ratio
The lightweight oscillating structure has one of the best Weight to Power ratios of all alternatives; and is designed for modular mass-production, minimising capital costs. Whilst current alternative devices require onboard power take off units; multiple nearshore pumps will power a single onshore power plant will be supplied by, offering excellent economies of scale.
3. Low Risk installation and Accessible Maintenance
Aquamarine is developing innovative, rapid installation solutions for its patented underwater foundation system. Oyster® pumps high pressure sea water directly into an onshore hydroelectric power conversion unit, substantially cutting installation and maintenance costs. The simplicity of design and the accessible near and onshore locations make operational maintenance and servicing by small work boats straightforward.
4. Low Ecological Impact & High Environmental Gains
At 18m x 12m x 2m, the device has a minimal environmental footprint. It is silent in operation, as it cannot be heard over the ambient noise onsite; and contains no toxic substances. It is the marine equivalent of a hydro power station.
Based on Carbon Trust estimates of saving 0.43 kg CO2/kWh for electrical production, each Oyster® device will provide a saving of approximately 500 Tonnes CO2/year. This will contribute to meeting UK and international targets for reducing CO2 emissions; and thus to mitigating the environmental impact of global warming.
5. Maximum Efficiency and Power Output
Near shore wave climates are more consistent than those found offshore, as reduced water depth filters out the most energetic seas and reduces the directional spread of the waves. This improves total system performance and enables Oyster® to capture a high percentage of the annual average power across the most commonly occurring sea states.
Oyster® has been designed to allow continued power generation to the grid in almost all sea-states without the need for excessive plant capacity. Remote monitoring ensures that optimum performance can be maintained at all times.
