Wave-tank testing and experimental validation
Physical testing has been used to evaluate, refine and validate the hydraulic and structural principles behind Pliosaur Energy's combined wave- and tidal-energy platform.
Experimental development
Testing the turbine under controlled conditions
Preliminary wave-tank testing was performed in 2016 at the Plymouth University Ocean Basin facilities.
Following analysis of the resulting data, it was decided that additional wave-tank testing was required to optimise the turbine design before detailed design could commence.
A further testing programme was completed in February 2019 at the HR Wallingford facility in Oxfordshire, UK.
The successful completion of this programme led to a press release announcing a breakthrough in the development of a turbine capable of converting both wave and tidal energy.
Design development
How testing informed the turbine design
The testing programme resulted in significant changes intended to improve tidal-energy performance.
These changes included elevating the rotor axle height, lengthening the turbine blades and adding a base plate.
The revised arrangement brought the tidal aspect of the design closer to the principles investigated through HYLOW, a University of Southampton research programme examining floating-watermill technology with a history extending back approximately 200 years.
Research foundations
Building on HYLOW and Wave Dragon
From a wave-energy perspective, the underlying operating principle remained unchanged following the testing programme.
Performance data developed at Aalborg University and applied through the Wave Dragon project remain relevant to assessing the wave-energy performance of Pliosaur's overtopping system.
HYLOW provides a separate research foundation for the tidal-energy aspect of the design, including the interaction between the rotor, surrounding flow and supporting floating structure.
Integrated operation
One rotor for waves and tides
Pliosaur's patented design differs from HYLOW and Wave Dragon through its ability to convert wave energy, tidal energy or a combination of both into electricity using a single rotor.
During operation, the platform is also intended to recover floating debris, including plastic, before it enters the overtopping reservoir.
This creates the potential for renewable-energy generation to help fund practical ocean clean-up activity.