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Concept
Lysekil Project
Summary
The Lysekil project is an ongoing wave power project which is run by the Centre for Renewable Electric Energy Conversion at Uppsala University in Sweden.
The main characteristic of the interaction between waves and a WEC (wave energy converter) is that energy is converted at large forces and low velocities due to the characteristic of ocean waves. As conventional generators are designed for high speed rotational motion, traditional wave power take-off system use a number of intermediate steps, for example hydraulics or turbines, to convert this slow-moving wave motion making it suitable for these generators.
Another way to tackle the problem; instead of adapting the waves to the power-take off system is adapting the system to the waves. This can be done by using a direct driven WEC (wave energy converter) with a linear generator. The advantage with this setup is a less complex mechanical system with potentially a smaller need for maintenance. One drawback with this kind of system is a more complicated transmission of the power to the grid. This is due to the characteristics of the generated voltage which will vary both in amplitude and frequency.
In the Lysekil project one goal was to develop a simple and robust wave energy system with a low need for maintenance. The approach was to find a system with few moving parts and as few energy converting steps as possible. Because of these requirements, a concept with a direct driven permanent magnet linear generator driven by a buoy that follows the motion at the sea surface was chosen.[1]
The Lysekil research project was established with the purpose to evaluate the chosen concept. The behavior of the WEC is studied both when it works as a single unit and together with several other WECs as a part of a cluster. Other important aspects are the design of the transmission system, in other words, how the power is transported to the grid and how this affects other part of the system, such as the buoy absorption.
Official source
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