Renewable Energy (Ocean Energy)
1.0 Introduction 4
2.0 Wave Energy Technologies – Spill Over /Overtopping Devices 5
2.1 Wave Capture Systems 5
2.2 Wave Dragon (Offshore) 6
2.3 Point Absorbers (Near/Offshore) 7
2.4 Oscillating Water Column (Nearshore) 7
2.5 Hinged Contour Devices (Near/Offshore) 8
2.6 Case Study – Pelamis DeviceI 9
2.7 Economic Appraisal 9
2.6 Non Technological Barriers - Environmental Impacts: 13
2.7 Non Technological Barriers - Social Impacts: 16
2.8 Miscellaneous Non Technological Barriers 16
2.9 Technological Barriers that impact the deployment of wave energy 17
3.0 Tidal Stream Technologies 21
3.1 Horizontal Axis Turbines 21
3.2 Vertical Axis Turbines 22
3.3 Reciprocating devices (oscillating hydrofoils) 22
3.4 Venturi Effect Tidal Stream Devices 23
3.5 Economic Appraisal: 24
3.6 Non Technological Barriers – Socio-Economic & Environmental Impacts: 27
3.7 Technological Barriers that impact the deployment of Tidal Stream energy. 29
3.8 Grid Integration: 30
3.8.1 Grid connection charges 30
3.8.2 Connection Charges. 30
3.9 Grid Connection. 30
3.9.1 Technological Barriers for Tidal Stream 31
3.10 Research and Development for future Irish Energy Strategies:. 37
4.0 Summary 41
5.0 Conclusion 41
5.1 Wave Energy: 42
5.2 Tidal Stream: 42
Bibliography 46
1.0 Introduction
The aim of this report is to critically review the socio-economic and environmental impacts associated with Ocean Energy Technologies. The author begins the review by providing some examples of Wave Energy Conversion devices and then selects one type in which the impacts are discussed and critically examined in an Irish context. An economic appraisal is provided on the WEC and then the technical and non-technical barriers to the development of WEC’s are provided, using Irish, British and international experiences as examples. The author will examine a pilot programme which is being developed off Co. Mayo relating to wave energy. A detailed environmental impact
2.0 Wave Energy Technologies – Spill Over /Overtopping Devices 5
2.1 Wave Capture Systems 5
2.2 Wave Dragon (Offshore) 6
2.3 Point Absorbers (Near/Offshore) 7
2.4 Oscillating Water Column (Nearshore) 7
2.5 Hinged Contour Devices (Near/Offshore) 8
2.6 Case Study – Pelamis DeviceI 9
2.7 Economic Appraisal 9
2.6 Non Technological Barriers - Environmental Impacts: 13
2.7 Non Technological Barriers - Social Impacts: 16
2.8 Miscellaneous Non Technological Barriers 16
2.9 Technological Barriers that impact the deployment of wave energy 17
3.0 Tidal Stream Technologies 21
3.1 Horizontal Axis Turbines 21
3.2 Vertical Axis Turbines 22
3.3 Reciprocating devices (oscillating hydrofoils) 22
3.4 Venturi Effect Tidal Stream Devices 23
3.5 Economic Appraisal: 24
3.6 Non Technological Barriers – Socio-Economic & Environmental Impacts: 27
3.7 Technological Barriers that impact the deployment of Tidal Stream energy. 29
3.8 Grid Integration: 30
3.8.1 Grid connection charges 30
3.8.2 Connection Charges. 30
3.9 Grid Connection. 30
3.9.1 Technological Barriers for Tidal Stream 31
3.10 Research and Development for future Irish Energy Strategies:. 37
4.0 Summary 41
5.0 Conclusion 41
5.1 Wave Energy: 42
5.2 Tidal Stream: 42
Bibliography 46
1.0 Introduction
The aim of this report is to critically review the socio-economic and environmental impacts associated with Ocean Energy Technologies. The author begins the review by providing some examples of Wave Energy Conversion devices and then selects one type in which the impacts are discussed and critically examined in an Irish context. An economic appraisal is provided on the WEC and then the technical and non-technical barriers to the development of WEC’s are provided, using Irish, British and international experiences as examples. The author will examine a pilot programme which is being developed off Co. Mayo relating to wave energy. A detailed environmental impact