AWS, Trident Energy team up for WEC optimization

AWS and Trident Energy will work together to optimize the design of the Archimedes Waveswing wave energy converter.

Under the memorandum of understanding, signed by the two parties, the improved Archimedes Waveswing WEC will be fitted with Trident Energy’s optimized PowerPod II direct drive linear generator technology.

The AWS and Trident teams will work together to further develop an advanced control system and share their existing numerical models to develop a complete ‘wave‐to‐wire’ system model of the full Waveswing WEC, AWS informed.

Steve Packard, Trident Energy’s CEO said: “I am delighted that Trident and AWS are working together to bring a ‘next generation’ WEC to market. Integrating the technologies is an exciting development for us and I believe it demonstrates the maturing nature of the marine energy sector as a whole.”

The Archimedes Waveswing WEC takes a subsea pressure‐differential point absorber concept and combines it with linear generator technology and advanced control algorithms to maximize the energy yield.

Trident Energy‘s PowerPod II is a scalable and modular Power Take‐Off (PTO) system based around a patented tubular linear generator design.

Simon Grey, CEO of AWS, said: “The Archimedes Waveswing is one of the most structurally efficient wave energy converter designs. However, economic performance is critically dependant on our ability to control the device in real time using our advanced algorithms. The Trident linear generator allows us to achieve this.”

Wave Energy Scotland (WES) is providing financial support to both AWS and Trident Energy under separate funding calls.

Tim Hurst, Managing Director of WES, added: “We are very pleased to see the development of this new collaboration of a WEC developer and PTO provider. It’s something that we’re keen to encourage, especially within the WES program.”