DESCRIPTION OF OPERATING PRINCIPLE

SPERBOY^TMis a floating buoy Oscillating Water Column (OWC) device consisting of a buoyant structure with a submerged & enclosed column. Housed above the OWC on top of the buoy is all the plant, turbines, generators and associated system facilities. The principle of operation is similar to that of fixed OWC’s designed for shoreline and fixed installations.
Except that a) the device is capable of deployment in deep water to maximize greatest energy source and, b) the entire body floats and maintains optimum hydrodynamic interactions for the prevailing and changing wave spectrum producing high energy capture at minimal cost.

DEPLOYMENT PROCEDURE

1) Install anchors
2) Lay shore to farm cables
3) Deploy devices
4) Lay inter-connecting cables
5) Commission

INFRASTRUCTURES REQUIRED FOR DEPLOYMENT

Deployment requires very little in terms of permanent infrastructure. The main body of the device can be manufactured in a location close to the site, transported and deployed by suitable vessels. All the skills required are similar to most offshore sectors and can be introduced as required. The actual deployment location will determine infrastructure required.

FARM GEOMETRY

All current work has focused on the deployment of a 10-device farm. However this is not the optimum for commercial and operational considerations. Spacing is around 350 meters, depending on water depth, with a full size farm of 1000 devices requiring up to 10 – 15 square kilometres.

MAINTENANCE STRATEGY

Routine maintenance would be carried out on the device with major works requiring the units of modular design being replaced and taken back to shore for refurbishment. The design aim is a zero maintenance requirement.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT FOR MAINTENANCE

Appropriate support vessel is required with the necessary capability. Current vessels have the capacity to be utilised and no new configurations are envisaged.

REMOVAL TO LAND PROCEDURE

This is a simple reversal of the deployment procedure.