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FOCUS ON CORNWALL


ELASTOMETRIC MOORING TETHER PERFORMANCE TESTING ADVANCES WAVE ENERGY PROJECT


The University of Exeter has carried out performance and durability tests on a set of elastometric mooring tethers as part of the H2020-funded OPERA wave energy project


DYNAMIC MARINE COMPONENT (DMAC) TEST FACILITY


enables the forging of global collaborations across industries. Of the marine clean energy sector Deborah Greaves, Professor of Ocean Engineering and Director of COAST commented: “Reaching out to new technology developers through projects such as the Marine-i Challenge Fund matches the strategic aims of the COAST laboratory. We are looking forward to working alongside emerging businesses that share our drive and enthusiasm in delivering new technological solutions.”


COLLABORATIVE ACADEMIC RESEARCH


Indeed, the nascent marine clean energy sector is already delivering industrial benefit to the UK ranging from collaborative academic research through to engineering design, construction, port development and more. For the full potential of marine clean energy to be realised, a strong foundation of global collaboration will prove critical. Professor Greaves added: “The arrival of the Marine-i Challenge Fund is terrific news for everyone, a clear indicator that the south west continues to influence the global community as it builds upon its strengths and reputation for quality.”


FUTURE


The Marine Institute aims to build upon its role through continued collaboration across the Marine-i Challenge Fund consortium and their partners to provide robust engineering solutions, scientific advances, education, technological innovation and business leadership for tomorrow’s world.


Plymouth University Marine Institute


The tests were carried out at the University of Exeter’s DMaC test facility to determine the effect of scaling on tether performance. The DMaC is a purpose built test rig that aims to replicate the forces and motions that components are subjected to in offshore applications. The test rig comprises of a linear hydraulic cylinder that can be used to replicate any pulling (tension) and pushing (compression) force representative of dynamic loadings, pre-loadings, etc. (termed the Z actuator in the tailstock position). At the other end of the rig the moving headstock with three degrees of freedom (namely pitch, roll and yaw) representative of x- and y-bending or torsion allows to replicate the movement and forces (e.g. bending moments) induced through the motion of a floating body.


DATA COLLECTION


The work has been carried out in parallel with data collection from the floating oscillating water column wave energy converter ‘Marmok-A-5’ developed by Oceantec Energías Marinas. Deployed at the BiMEP test site in October 2016, measurements from the site include environmental conditions, device motions and mooring tensions.


OPERA PROJECT


The DMaC tests will enable the design of the two 70m long tethers, which will be used on the OPERA project. The tethers will be deployed during this summer (2017) for a 12 month period, replacing two conventional polyester ropes in the ‘Karratu’ mooring system. Previous tests involving the tether design demonstrated


that elastomeric tethers can reduce mooring peak loads.


The purpose of the second deployment will be to demonstrate that elastomeric mooring components can address cost and durability challenges for marine renewable energy moorings.


INTERNATIONAL PROJECT CONSORTIUM


OPERA is an international project consortium, coordinated by TECNALIA, comprising 12 academic and industrial partners. The project aims to develop and de-risk technologies that will reduce the cost of operating wave energy devices at sea by 50% and subsequently accelerate the roll out of marine renewable energy.


University of Exeter www.wavetidalenergynetwork.co.uk PAGE 23


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