The Oyster™ system
Oyster™ is a near-shore bottom-mounted wave energy converter designed to interact efficiently with the dominant surge forces in shallow water waves. This device has been designed specifically for deployment in near-shore waters, as the near-shore environment is easier to access and is not prone to the extreme wave heights found offshore.The peak power generated by each Oyster™ unit is between 300 and 600kw, depending on location and configuration. A commercial wave farm consisting of 10 Oyster™ modules deployed in arrays will generate up to 6MW of power.
The principle behind Oyster™ is simple. It consists of an oscillating module fixed to the seabed in depths of 12m at the mean water level. This module extracts the energy from passing waves and transmits it as seawater hydraulic power to a hydro-electric power conversion unit, located onshore. It does this by driving double acting pistons which deliver pressurized seawater to the power take off unit, as is done with conventional hydro-electric generators.
Designed for simplicity and minimal maintenance, the Oyster™ module is lightweight and has very few components. The module has a very small sea bed footprint and high power output relative to its physical size, making it cost effective. The Oyster™ module naturally swings away from large waves, shedding load, enabling it to continue generating power even during extreme conditions. The module interacts directly with the amplified surge component in near shore waves; which means it also captures power efficiently in the smallest of seas.
The Oyster™ system has been designed to be both a reliable and very cost-effective source of power.
The technology behind Oyster™ offers five key benefits:
Oyster™’s innovative design and near-shore location makes it capable of surviving and generating power continuously in a wide range of sea-states.
