The Technology Context – B101

OceanPD Harnessing the Ocean

The amount of water that covers approximately 66% of the world surface is known as the ocean. The ocean has always served as a source of sustenance for living creatures, even humans who cultivate the creatures of the sea for food. At this time where technology is in a prevalent stage of development, it is crucial that we use alternate methods of generating power, we now use the once untapped potential of the ocean as a source of power. Unlike three decades ago humanity did not have the ability and technology available to harness the natural world as an infinitely renewable source of energy from the world.

Wave energy conversion is one of the many methods created to harness some of the oceans potential. The Pelamis wave energy converter is a quadruple cylindered structure held together by motorised hydraulic joints which resist the flow of the waves allowing power to be generated from the internal pressure of the joints. The converters are semi-submerged held in place by positioned concrete anchors however allowing enough free movement for the technology to work. The semi-submerged design allows for ease of access for maintenance and repair when required.

The below diagram is an aerial view of how the wave converters are setup when complete.




The graph below shows the potential energy generation from a single hydraulic joint per month. The maximum energy potential for a single converter on average is approximately 500kW (kilowatts) with a minimum average of 100kW. These statistics were taken in 1991-1993 and do not reflect current wave information, as such this information is treated more as a guide line of potential power rather than current statistics.
One issue that is obvious from these statistics is that during May till July the power generated by the wave converters lowers by more than halved, when compared to months of high power such as November to February. This is a common issue with methods of power generation which rely on natural sources, such as solar panels which will generate less power during the winter months compared to the summer months; the same is also true for wind turbines which relies on the strength of the wind to generate power.




This technology is already implemented on a world scale by OceanDP as a source of power for shoreline cities and islands. This does not take into account the other types of technology that are able to harness waves as a form of energy. Were the other possible technologies also taken into consideration the thought of all these technologies and their possible locations becomes staggering to contemplate.





One place in which this technology is my home island of Jersey a part of the Channel Islands. At present the power for Jersey comes from a power plant on the French coast, which is then routed to Guernsey the second largest of the Channel Islands. The technology provided by OceanPD would provide Jersey with a more environmentally friendly source of power which would support the Jerseys efforts in becoming eco-friendly.
Economically a secondary power supplier would create a competitive market within the power industry which is current monopolised by a single company within Jersey.
Many would object to the technology such as wind turbines because Jersey prides itself on being a tourist oriented place, currently developing into an international tourist destination. The Pelamis wave converter is a viable option in this case since they can be placed offshore beyond the view of anyone from the shoreline and people travelling in boats. On the subject of landscape the fact that the only part of the Pelamis wave converter that touches the sea bed is the supporting block which acts as the anchor, this method prevents the delicate and valued marine life from being damaged on a large scale or permanently disrupted.
Jersey is a strongly based within the finance including tourist district. One organisation exists within Jersey known as WEB (Waterfront Enterprise Board) which is an Enterprise company with the sole purpose of building up the waterfront area within St. Helier. Were a proposal could be submitted to WEB and the States of Jersey to implement such technology. Jersey would benefit by improving their status with the European Union as an eco-friendly island and as a tourist destination.




To further develop the supporting evidence behind the practicality of this technology. I will be looking at the research provided on this technology by OceanPD. An area that does not use OceanPD will be used as a test sample for projecting the potential power output through the usage of the Pelamis wave converter technology. Wave height information will be gathered on the chosen area over a period of years from 2005-2007 approximated from the information OceanPD created relating to probable power generation depending on wave height. The results from this collaboration of information will create a projection of information for the potential energy that could have been generated had OceanPD technology been implemented in the chosen area.




OceanPD Websire: http://www.oceanpd.com/default.html