Brief description of projects involving the Wave Energy Centre.

PROJECTS

  • CORES – Components for Renewable Ocean Energy Systems (2008-2011). EU 7FP funded (RTD program). This project will concentrate on the development of a Toolbox of the wave to wire simulations to be aplied to the OE Buoy Technology, developed by the Irish company Ocean Energy Ltd. A impulse turbine will be constructed within the workplan leaded by the Instituto Superior Técnico.
  • WEAM – Wave Energy Acoustic Monitoring (2007-2010). This project funded by the Science and Technology Foundation (Fundação de Ciência e Tecnologia) aims to develop an instrumentation network for the assessment of underwater noise produced by wave energy devices and establish a monitorization plan. The institutions responsible for this project are the Wave Energy Centre and the University of the Algarve .
  • EQUIMAR – (2008-2011) Equitable testing and Evaluation of Marine energy extraction Devices in terms of Performance, Cost and Environmental Impact. EU 7FP funded (STREP program) that will start on date 1/03/2008 .
  • WAVEPLAM – WAVe energy PLAnning and Marketing (2007-2010). Project funded by the European Commission (Intelligent Energy Executive Agency program). The purpose of this project is to develop tools and establish the necessary conditions to find solutions for the probable non technological barriers and conditioning factors that may arise with the deployment of large scale wave energy technologies.
  • Aqua-RET – Aquatic Renewable Energy Technologies (2006-2008). This project funded by the European Commission is related to the development of online e-learning sessions within aquatic renewable energy technologies in order to inform the general public and stimulate companies to the aquatic renewable energy industry.
  • Pico OWC PRIME/DEMTEC funding for the Renovation and Test of the OWC Pilot Plant in the Pico Island , in the Azores. The WavEC coordinated this project finished in October 2006. Maintenance and monitorization of the Pico Plant continues after the end of the project;
  • WAVETRAIN RTN (EU FP6 Marie Curie Actions) - In 2004 started the Marie Curie Research Training Network WAVETRAIN, as a consequence of a successful project proposal elaborated by Wave Energy Centre. This network further involves seven elaborated by the Centre. The network further involves seven European universities, one Portuguese public entity and two device developes (AWS and Wave Dragon) and it managed by the Centre. The main deliverables of the project are training of 15 young scientists in the field of wave energy.;
  • CA-OE (EU FP6 funded) - The Wave Energy Centre participates as core-group member in the European Co-ordination actions in Ocean Energy Systems, joining various research institutes and companies involved in wave energy. The main project activities are the organisation of dedicated interactive workshops and short-term personell-exchange periods, as a vehicle to exchange and analyse information for the Ocean Energy Development.;
  • Foz do Douro Breakwater OWC - (2004-2007);

 

RENDERING OF SERVICES

  • Site selection – Evaluation of potential sites for the exploitation of wave energy on the Portuguese West Coast. (2005, 2007);

  • Wave Energy: State of the Art – Report and workshop (2006, 2007);

  • Workshop “Development of Wave Energy” (2005);

  • Archimedes Wave Swing (ASW) System - The Centre has participated in the sea trials of the AWS Pilot Plant of 2 MW offshore Póvoa do Varzim in September - November of 2004.;
  • The Potential and Strategy of Wave Energy Exploitation in Portugal (Summary. pfd file 529 kb), a study for the Directorate General for Geology and Energy (DGGE). - This study shows that the Portuguese western coastline has favourable conditions for the exploitation of ocean wave energy. Possible conflicts with fishery and navigation were investigated and need to be taken in further consideration, however is not seen to be a major concern with respect to long-term prospects for wave energy.;

    OTHER

  • IEA-OES - The Wave Energy Centre is responsible for the support to the secretary of the Executive Committee of the Implementing Agreement on Ocean Energy Systems of the International Energy Agency.;
  • EU-OEA – European Ocean Energy Association. In 2007 the WavEC became a co-founder of the EU-OEA, a private association based in Bussels, Belgium. It's work is focused on dissemination of ocean energy.