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Power Systems
IRL has demonstrated world-class precision and mechanical engineering expertise focused on creating power systems that are lighter, smaller, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Wave power[?] offers great potential as a future energy source.
Wave devices for energy
We are investigating the potential of wave energy for New Zealand in conjunction with our research partners. This partnership is focusing on wave engineering and wave energy extraction.
Using the performance information available from studies of development devices for comparison, a new device has been proposed as a feasible design for development in New Zealand.
This is based on a novel direct drive concept and has a smaller footprint than many of the proposed devices. It is expected to have a modular generation capability of up to 500kW. Provisional patents covering the concepts have been filed.
The key difference between this device and earlier designs is that it will actively respond to a site’s wave characteristics (like a variable speed wind turbine), resulting in an improved capacity factor. It will be moored in good coastal wave regimes where the water depth is 20-100m.
Industrial Research is in partnership with Power Projects Limited to develop and demonstrate the new technology to a proof-of-concept level.
Wave power offers great potential as a future energy source. The current level of technology development can be compared with the wind industry 20 years ago, with no one particular design concept being clearly dominant yet.
There appears to be a window of opportunity for the development and demonstration of new wave power conversion devices. The technologies to be employed are within the capabilities of New Zealand industry, which has many years of experience in the design, construction and deployment of large marine structures for the gas and petro-chemical industries.
The manufacture of high value electrical and power electronic control systems is also a strength that can be exploited in the production of advanced wave energy conversion systems.
We'd like to hear from you: In conjunction with our research partners, we are interested in hearing from wave technology developers interested in deploying devices within New Zealand or overseas, or from potential investors interested in contributing to the development of commercial systems.