Development of a Combined Solar and Wave Energy Converter.

Following successful offshore testing and commercial engagement. Mocean Energy would like to further explore the hybridisation of solar panels onto our hinged raft wave energy converter, making use of the available deck space on the topside of the device.

Like all renewable energy sources, wave energy is seasonal. Wave energy is most dense in the winter and lulls in the summer, whilst solar energy density has the opposite relationship with the seasons. By capturing the two renewable energy sources into one device, a consistent year round power can be obtained in a cost effective way as expensive components like moorings, energy storage and export cables can be shared and best utilised.

Solar panels were deployed on BlueX, Mocean Energy's first prototype, during testing in waters off the Orkney Islands. Testing consisted of energy yield measurements and regular condition inspections. Conclusions include good energy production, bio-fouling management strategy and system survival. A numerical model has been developed to incorporate the offshore environment, wave dynamics and irradiance conditions to predict the energy yield of panels onboard the wave energy converter. By using environmental data gathered during the deployment in Orkney, the model has been validated against the field results with good agreement.

The aim of this project within the Clean Energy Transition Partnership is to develop this idea further so that future Mocean Energy wave energy converters can best incorporate a solar array. The scope of the project is to be agreed with project collaborators, however we envision desk based research, improvements to the numerical model, tank testing, system design and potentially further at sea testing.