Unlimited Wave Energy: This Buoy is the Future
Summary
TLDRThis video explores the innovative C4 floating wave energy converter by Sweden's Core Power. Inspired by the human heart, the C4 captures five times more energy per ton than traditional systems while ensuring survivability in harsh ocean conditions. It uses a pneumatic system and a Wavespring mechanism to maximize energy efficiency, even during storms. The C4's success in initial tests off Portugal's coast suggests that commercial wave power could soon be viable, offering a significant renewable energy source for coastal regions.
Takeaways
- 🌊 Wave energy has the potential to meet global electricity demand, but harnessing it has been a centuries-long challenge.
- ⚙️ Core Power's C4 wave energy converter is inspired by the human heart and designed to capture five times more energy per ton than other wave systems.
- 🛡️ A key challenge in wave energy is ensuring survivability in harsh ocean conditions, which Core Power addresses with lightweight and tough composite buoys.
- 🔄 The C4 system uses a pneumatic cylinder that stores pressure and converts the linear up-and-down motion of waves into rotational energy, powering an onboard generator.
- 🌪️ Core Power's C4 survived four powerful Atlantic storms, thanks to its detuned storm protection state, which shields the buoy from large waves.
- 💡 The innovative WaveSpring system, based on a hydraulic pump mechanism inspired by the human heart, helps increase energy extraction by three times.
- ⚓ The C4 is anchored to the seabed using the Universal Mooring Anchoring and Connectivity Kit (UMAC), which outperforms traditional anchors in terms of holding capacity and environmental impact.
- 🏭 Core Power's focus on reducing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) led to a 70% reduction in costs by using composite materials instead of steel.
- 📉 Core Power estimates that with widespread adoption, the LCOE of their system could be competitive with wind and solar, potentially dropping to $35 per megawatt hour.
- 🔧 Future tests of Core Power's wave energy arrays in larger and more challenging ocean environments will determine the commercial viability of their technology.
Q & A
What is the C4 wave energy converter and what inspired its design?
-The C4 is a floating wave energy converter developed by Sweden's Core Power. It takes inspiration from the human heart and combines it with advanced engineering to capture wave energy more efficiently than other systems.
How does the C4 differ from traditional wave energy systems in terms of energy capture?
-The C4 is reported to capture five times more energy per ton than other wave systems, thanks to its innovative design that harnesses the linear up and down movement of waves and turns it into rotation for electricity generation.
What was the historical challenge in making wave energy commercially viable?
-Historically, wave energy faced two major challenges: efficiency and survivability. Many devices were either not efficient enough to capture significant energy or were unable to withstand the harsh conditions in the ocean.
How did Core Power test the survivability of the C4 system?
-Core Power tested the C4 off the coast of North Portugal, where it was subjected to four powerful Atlantic storms. The system survived all of them, demonstrating its remarkable survivability.
What is the significance of the Wavespring system in the C4's design?
-The Wavespring system is a breakthrough that builds on an older hydraulic pump invention by a cardiologist. It allows the C4 to use built-up pressure to capture maximum wave energy throughout the whole cycle, not just the upstroke, improving both efficiency and survivability.
How does the pneumatic system in the C4 contribute to its survivability during storms?
-The pneumatic system can increase internal pressure during storms, which prevents the buoy from moving excessively with the harsh waves. This state, known as the detuned storm protection state, is similar to a wind turbine pitching its blades during high winds.
What is the role of the onboard generator in the C4's energy extraction process?
-The onboard generator works in conjunction with the wider Wavespring system to control the flow of energy, allowing the pneumatic springs and cylinder to compress and expand, thus storing and releasing energy. This optimizes the motion of the device to be in line with the waves for maximum power extraction.
What is the significance of the UMAC anchoring system used in the C4?
-The UMAC (Universal Mooring Anchoring and Connectivity Kit) anchoring system is designed to outperform traditional anchors in terms of holding capacity, cost, and carbon footprint. It also provides a secure path for electrical cables and is installed using a method that is quieter and friendlier to marine life.
What is the vision for the deployment of the C4 systems in the future?
-The vision is to have arrays of C4 buoys or 'cor packs' laid out side by side in sets to form wave farms, delivering electricity to the grid through collection hubs connected to a single export cable.
How does Core Power's approach to design and innovation focus on cost-effectiveness?
-Core Power's design and innovation approach is driven by the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), ensuring that the design of the machine and its components are cost-effective over the system's lifetime, including construction, operation, and maintenance.
What are the potential future benefits of Core Power's wave energy technology?
-With continued investment and development, Core Power's wave energy technology could provide significant renewable power to energy grids in coastal regions, offering a competitive alternative to wind and solar energy sources.
Outlines
🌊 Harnessing Wave Power: The C4's Innovative Approach
This paragraph introduces the concept of wave energy as a potential global electricity source and highlights the challenges of harnessing it. It focuses on the Swedish company Core Power's C4 wave energy converter, which draws inspiration from the human heart to achieve remarkable energy efficiency and survivability. The C4 reportedly captures five times more energy per ton than other systems, thanks to its unique design. The paragraph also touches on the historical difficulties of developing wave energy systems and the importance of ensuring their durability in harsh ocean environments.
💪 C4's Survivability in Harsh Ocean Conditions
This paragraph details the rigorous testing of the C4 system off the coast of North Portugal, where it successfully withstood four powerful Atlantic storms. Core Power's secret to the C4's durability lies in its lightweight composite buoys and the use of a point absorber system that oscillates with the waves. The C4's pneumatic system allows it to harness maximum wave energy by converting linear up-and-down movements into rotational energy, which powers an onboard generator. The system's ability to adjust pressure during storms, known as the 'detuned storm protection state,' is key to its survivability, making it comparable to wind turbines that adjust their blades during high winds.
💡 Maximizing Wave Energy with the Wavespring System
This paragraph explores the Wavespring system, invented by Dr. Hals, which enhances the C4's energy efficiency by allowing the pneumatic springs and cylinder to compress and expand, storing and releasing energy in sync with wave movements. A smart control system optimizes the timing of energy extraction, ensuring the buoy moves in phase with the waves, similar to a well-timed push on a swing. The paragraph also introduces the UMAC (Universal Mooring Anchoring and Connectivity) kit, which securely anchors the buoys to the seabed, offering superior holding capacity and environmental benefits. The broader vision involves creating wave farms with multiple buoys to generate significant renewable energy.
💰 Cost-Effective Wave Energy: The Path to Commercial Viability
This paragraph discusses the cost-driven approach of Core Power, focusing on the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) as a key metric. The C4's composite hull, made from resin and fiberglass, significantly reduces LCOE by 70%, making the technology more competitive. Reports suggest that with the installation of 600 MW capacity by 2025, the LCOE could drop to $75 per MWh, and further down to $35 per MWh with 20 GW installed, making it competitive with wind and solar energy. The UMAC anchor's quiet installation method also minimizes underwater noise pollution, and the anchor's design emerged from Core Power's collaborative approach with academia and the private sector.
🏗️ Testing the Future of Wave Energy
This paragraph outlines the next steps for Core Power, which include testing larger arrays of buoys in harsher conditions off the North Coast of Portugal. The success of these tests will be crucial for the commercial viability of wave energy, as the ocean's violent and corrosive nature has been a major challenge for previous systems. With continued investment, Core Power's arrays could soon provide significant renewable power to coastal regions. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the importance of innovation in engineering and how Core Power's breakthroughs bring commercial wave power closer to reality.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Wave Energy
💡C4 Wave Energy Converter
💡Survivability
💡Efficiency
💡Wavespring System
💡Point Absorber
💡Pneumatic Systems
💡Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)
💡Umac Anchor
💡Dynamic Adaptive Piston Pump
Highlights
Waves in our ocean have the potential to meet global electricity demand, but harnessing this power has been a centuries-long challenge.
Core Power's C4 wave energy converter draws inspiration from the human heart to achieve remarkable energy efficiency.
The C4 device reportedly captures five times more energy per ton than other wave systems.
Core Power's testing off the coast of North Portugal proved the C4's survivability, withstanding four powerful Atlantic storms.
The C4 uses lightweight, tough composite buoys in a point absorber system to capture wave energy through vertical oscillation.
A key innovation is the Wavespring system, which builds on a hydraulic pump concept inspired by the efficiency of the human heart.
The C4's pneumatic systems store pressure during wave motion, allowing continuous energy capture throughout the wave cycle.
The device's detuned storm protection state helps it survive large waves by adjusting the pressure within the system.
The C4's smart control system optimizes energy extraction by synchronizing the device's movement with wave phases.
The UMAC anchoring system outperforms conventional methods in terms of holding capacity, cost, and environmental impact.
The UMAC system also provides a secure path for electrical cables and can be used in other offshore applications like floating wind turbines.
Core Power's approach is driven by the goal of reducing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), aiming for competitive energy pricing.
The use of composite hulls in the C4 design has resulted in a 70% reduction in LCOE.
By 2025, with an installed capacity of 600 MW, the C4 could achieve an LCOE of $75 per MWh, with potential to drop as low as $35 per MWh.
Core Power's innovative solutions bring commercial wave power closer to reality, with promising future developments.
Transcripts
waves in our ocean are an incredible
source of power that could in theory
meet the whole of global electricity
demand however harnessing wave power has
been a centuries long Quest littered
with failure but that could all be set
to change a floating wave energy
converter called the C4 by Sweden's Core
Power has taken inspiration from the
human heart and combined it with
world-class engineering to deliver some
incredible results in this video we'll
look at the design that allows the C4 to
capture a reported five times more
energy per ton than other wave systems
however before they started optimizing
the energy from their device there was a
bigger challenge they had to solve and
that was making sure the whole thing
didn't get ripped apart in the
ocean when I studied wave energy at
University it was like a postmortem of
failed systems since 179 9 ideas and
patents have come thick and fast these
ideas have yielded devices with
fantastic names like the Salter duck
Mighty whale and the oyster there are
now more than 1,500 wave energy patents
out there but Commercial Success has
been elusive this is largely because
wave power has historically had two very
expensive problems efficiency and
survivability so to really test the
survivability of their vention The Core
Power Team chose to do their testing off
the coast of North Portugal where their
system was subject to four powerful
Atlantic storms and amazingly it
survived all of them without a problem
one of their secrets to this incredible
survivability is that Core Power uses
composite boys that are lightweight and
tough in a type of wave of energy
converter known as a point absorber
Tethered to the seabed they oscillate
with the waves mostly up and down
capturing wave energy the C4 harnesses
the linear up and down movement and
turns it into rotation creating
electricity via a Cascade of small gears
powering an onboard generator even with
safety constraints on velocity and
stroke the six-month test in Portugal
achieved a peak power of 600 KW for
comparison wind turbines with equal
power ratings are twice as tall with
rotors four times wider and much more
complex to deploy however just using
tough boys is not the ingenious
invention that sets Core Power apart
instead there are a few other
breakthroughs that help address the
system efficiency and survivability in
much more interesting ways one of these
is called the wavespring system that
builds on an older breakthrough a
hydraulic pump invented by a
cardiologist the cardiac cycle takes
less than a second but as cardiologist
Dr Stig lundback discovered it's
mind-blowingly efficient this is in part
because the heart only uses energy when
it contracts and pushes blood out into
the body to fill back up all it needs to
do is relax and let pressure in the rest
of the body push blood back into it this
means that with one contraction blood
flows in two directions this idea of
using builtup pressure to get blood
flowing in two directions from one
action is what got Dr Stig lback
thinking about wave energy because just
like the heart waves only push in One
Direction in 1984 Dr lundback patented
the dynamic adaptive piston pump like
the heart it's a single pump with a dual
action decades later he co-founded Core
Power and put this mechanism to good use
however unlike the heart The Core Power
C4 uses pneumatic systems meaning that
they work with Air instead of fluid as
the boy rises in a wave the central
pneumatic cylinder and springs store up
the pressure then this stored pressure
can provide a returning Force as the boy
goes back down where the central
cylinder pulls back on the rods that are
secured to the ocean floor with an
anchor therefore the C4 boy can capture
the maximum wave energy throughout the
whole cycle instead of just the upstroke
this pneumatic system also helps with
survivability this is because when a
storm comes the pressure can be
increased inside to prevent the boy
going all the way up and down with the
harsh ocean waves this state is known as
the detuned storm protection State and
can be compared to a wind turbine
pitching its blades during high winds
this ability to Shield itself from large
waves is how the C4 survived Atlantic
storms with record-breaking waves of
18.5
M however when the waves are good the C4
boy can instead be continuously tuned to
work with the waves this tuning is done
using the onboard generator alongside
the wider wavespring system the
wavespring was invented by Dr hals when
designing the system he had to do lots
of 3D modeling and testing which is why
before looking into the wavespring
further I need to tell you about today's
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the wavespring and Generator work
together to maximize energy from the
Waves by allowing the pneumatic Springs
and cylinder to compress and expand
hence storing energy and releasing
energy it shifts the movement of the
device more in line with the waves a
smart control system also chooses how
hard the generator works so it extracts
energy at the perfect time this further
helps to ensure the boy continues to
move in Phase with the waves which is
best for maximizing power extraction one
of their scientific papers claimed that
this increases the overall energy
extraction by three times compared to a
passive system an analogy for how this
works is like a well-timed push on a
swing by managing when energy is stored
Ed or released the motion of the swing
or boy can be optimized just like
pushing a swing at the right time using
the generator to control the flow of
energy can keep everything moving in
time and improve Energy Efficiency I
briefly mentioned this earlier but in
order for the boy to pull or push itself
back towards the ocean it needs to be
Tethered to the ocean floor each boy is
anchored to the seabed by a tensioned
moing system called the umac or
Universal moing anchoring and
connectivity kit according to Core Power
the umac anchor outperforms gravity
anchors and conventional monopiles in
terms of holding capacity cost and
carbon footprint it is also installed
with a highspeed and low noise method
making it friendlier to marine life as
well as withstanding extreme forces it
also acts as a secure path for
electrical cables to come from The Boy
The Wider vision is to have a of boys or
cor packs laid out side by side in sets
of 5 10 and 30 megaw to form wave Farms
from here electricity will be delivered
to the grid collection hubs connected to
a single export cable amazing technology
aside the real driver for these
Innovations is the final levelized cost
of electricity which measures the
average total cost to produce one unit
of energy over the lifetime of the
system fact in in construction operation
and maintenance here is what Miguel Sila
managing director of Core Power had to
say on the topic in an interview he did
with the team enet who I'll leave a link
to in the description below the design
from the device and the concept behind
it it it has always lcoe as the main
metric so the levelized cost of
electricity so when you design the
machine and each of its components
you're thinking about the levelized cost
of energy so for example on the C four
that you see behind us you have a
composite hole it's a choice for lcoe
it's a it's a choice that moved us away
from traditional Halls of Steel that are
very vulnerable to raw material price
fluctuation and we moved to a high
efficiency mostly fully automated
process to manufacture from resin and
fiberglass so this immediately gave us a
70% reduction on lcoe so this is an
example how the the design is tuned
biometric that is feeding to the one of
the big targets it has to have to have a
competitive technology in the market
reports say that when a cumulative
capacity of 600 megawatt is installed by
2025 the levelized cost of energy will
be around $75 per megawatt hour I've
also seen that if they can install 20
gaw of these boys it will drop as low as
$35 per megawatt hour which is
competitive with wind and solar this
cost-driven approach is also how the
umac anchor was born Core Power says
that its installation by vibro Hammer is
15 to 20 DB quieter than any other
method which would really help
underwater noise pollution and I love
the way that it came about when we
thought about the mooding system there
were anchors in the market were very
expensive so the company decide okay
let's stop and think let's do our own
anchor system we have always a
collaborative approach where we work
with private sector and with Academia
all together and we got this very nice
uh Universal Ming anchor that will be a
solution for wave energy but also for
other markets for example floating
offshore wind and all these are winds
after the success of the C4 tests
they'll now be testing for all of the
arrays which will also be done off the
North Coast of Portugal with more boys
out at Sea in bigger arrays for longer
periods in potentially even bigger
storms a lot is riding on how well they
survived the violent and corrosive ocean
that's been the Nemesis of so many
systems but so far things are looking
positive with continued investment it
might not be long before Core Power
arrays can provide significant Renewable
Power to our energy grids in coastal
regions what I love about engineering is
how Innovation builds sometimes over
centuries layer on layer of success and
failure add up with core Powers
breakthroughs and continued development
commercial wave power is a lot closer
than it was and I can't wait to see how
they get on if you've enjoyed this video
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