Mooring Tensioner for WECs – MoTWEC

The efficient and cost-effective conversion of wave energy into electrical energy has remained an unsolved technological challenge. This project will develop, proof test and demonstrate a novel energy storage element, the Mooring Tensioner, enabling the use of rotary electrical generators for Wave Energy Converters (WEC).

The Mooring Tensioner will be delivered in high performance, lightweight and durable fibre reinforced composites, allowing easy integration to the space constrained WEC environment. The delivered efficiency advantages will significantly enhance the competitiveness of WEC technologies, thereby supporting the supply of low-cost energy to the onshore grid, offshore platforms and aquaculture sites.

Objectives 

The overall project objective is to deliver a reliable, cost-effective Mooring Tensioner design, suitably verified for application to real WEC systems. It is expected that successful delivery of the Mooring Tensioner design and testing will lead to a step-change in WEC LCoE supporting lower cost of energy supply to the land-based electricity grid, offshore platforms and aquaculture sites.

Progress has been made on the Mooring Tensioner for Wave Energy Converters (MoTWEC) project. The testing phase at Carnegie’s onshore testing facility has included crucial assessments of the Mooring Tensioner components, designed to provide passive tension to the moorings of both of Carnegie’s technologies CETO and MoorPower. After a period of maintenance, the Mooring Tensioner prototype is ready to recommence testing and will resume cycles at Carnegie’s research facility.

Supporting the ongoing development of the Mooring Tensioner technology, additional Mooring Tensioner units have been successfully integrated into the Power Take-Off (PTO) unit recently deployed as part of the MoorPower Demonstrator project. With a combination of Mooring Tensioner testing undertaken onshore (on the test rig) and testing undertaken offshore (as part of MoorPower), Carnegie will be gathering significant data and experience relevant to the use of the Mooring Tensioner for both CETO and MoorPower.