Objective
Life cycle cost of electricity generated by marine renewable technologies is determined by multiple factors including energy production capability, capital costs, and operating and maintenance (O&M) costs, as well as multiple other logistical, permitting, environmental, and finance cost factors. ORPC’s direct experience has been that operating and maintenance costs are dominant in the cost structure. It is clear that for marine renewable energy systems to be commercially viable they must demonstrate exceptionally high reliability and availability. ORPC is now addressing these cost, efficiency and reliability issues in order to achieve commercial status. This Project is a critical next step in commercialization of ORPC’s hydrokinetic power system technology for the European market. Ultimate Project goals are to develop a complete power transfer system from prime mover to electrical grid with normal maintenance intervals of greater than five years, and availability of greater than 98%. Intermediate goals are to deliver a system with design maintenance intervals of greater than five years, and availability greater than 96%. The projects primary objectives are listed below:
1. Develop wet gap electrical generator design capable of operating in seawater flooded condition
2. Develop advanced bearings and seal designs for hydrokinetic machines
3. Develop and implement control strategies to maximize power output and power quality for multiple prime mover designs
4. Develop and implement advanced health monitoring system
5. Validate the system design work by integrated full scale lab testing of system
6. Integrate these components into a baseline ORPC hydrokinetic turbine and assess associated economic improvements
7. Disseminate Project results and findings
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
T12 YN60 Cork
Ireland
See on map
Participants (6)
80686 Munchen
See on map
LU3 3BL Luton
See on map
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
97421 Schweinfurt
See on map
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
20457 Hamburg
See on map
DUBLIN 4 Dublin
See on map
F92 Letterkenny
See on map