ABB helps Oceanlinx make waves for future

ABB, the world leading power and automation technology group, announced that its Performance Service Centre located in Port Kembla, NSW recently completed the refurbishment of Oceanlinx’s 250kW Wave Energy Conversion unit. The unit, which can save thousands of tonnes of CO2 and SO2 emissions annually, is a full scale prototype with a unique commercially efficient system for extracting energy from ocean waves and converting it to electricity, or utilising that energy to produce clean, fresh water from brine.

ABB’s scope of work included fabrication modifications and installation of the Wave Energy Conversion unit hood and steel work - including stiffening sections of the structure and fabricating two watertight doors. All work was finished on schedule in early February, enabling the unit to be floated out to its operational location off the breakwater north of Port Kembla harbour, NSW. Oceanlinx has a power purchase agreement with Australian utility Integral Energy for the supply of electricity from the 250kW prototype unit.

“ABB were professional, safety conscious and flexible in meeting all our requirements and we have been delighted with the fabrication, modifications and installation work performed,” said Stuart Weylandsmith, Oceanlinx’s chief operating officer.

“ABB puts a strong emphasis on engaging with our customers to ensure that their requirements are understood and met,” said Michael Bowditch, ABB’s business development manager at Port Kembla. “With our 9,000 square meters of workshop area we are in a unique position to repair and refurbish large and complex overhaul projects ABB also has a long history of supporting industry and a strong involvement with the Illawarra Innovative Industry Network (i3net), which is how we became aware of Oceanlinx’s innovative energy project.”

Mario Bezzina, ABB’s Port Kembla manager added: “Communication lines with Oceanlinx were drawn early allowing the entire project to run smoothly and on budget, with no surprises for both parties despite varied site conditions at the Port Kembla jetty. Working with Ocealinx has been an enjoyable process for our fabrication team leader Peter Tallon, and the entire ABB crew. This project has allowed us to explore opportunities for our machine, fabrication and heat treatment services in the growing renewable energy market.”

How does it work?

Oceanlinx’s core patented technology is an oscillating water column (OWC) device, based on the established science of wave energy, but one which, when compared to other OWC technologies – offers major improvements in the design of the system, the turbine, and in construction technique. The technology has been successfully constructed and tested with the first full scale Oceanlinx wave plant, installed at Port Kembla producing zero CO2 and SO2 pollution.

Ocean waves contain enormous amounts of energy. As this energy passes the Oceanlinx device, the water inside the OWC chamber which is open underneath the waterline rises and falls compressing and displacing the air inside, driving it past a turbine which is housed at the narrowest point in the chamber.

Since the OWC chamber narrows, the air is accelerated to its highest velocity as it passes the turbine, allowing for maximal extraction of the energy. The oscillatory wave motion causes a similar oscillatory airflow through the chamber, and the turbine converts energy on both up and down stroke. The turbine converts the energy in the airflow into mechanical energy which drives an electrical generator. The chamber and turbine are the essence of the Oceanlinx Wave Energy System.

Oceanlinx is developing new generations of its wave energy conversion technology with peak power outputs in excess of 1 MW, depending on the wave climate and specific power requirements. Multiple units can be deployed in the same general area, all connected back to shore by the one electrical cable, thus constituting a wave energy array to provide commercial sized installations of up to 100MW. The expected global market for wave energy could see a saving of more than one billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere each year on a like-for-like comparison with coal - generated power.

ABB’s Port Kembla facility is a leading provider of engineering services and specialises in medium to large fabrication, machining, heat treatment, repair, overhaul and manufacture of mechanical plant equipment and looks forward to assisting Oceanlinx as their business grows both nationally and internationally.


Notes:

Oceanlinx Limited is a leading international company in the field of wave energy conversion. It has developed proprietary technology for extracting energy from ocean waves and converting it into electricity, or utilising that energy to provide desalinated industrial or potable grade water from sea water.

Illawarra Innovative Industry Network i3net is a powerful network of innovative engineering, manufacturing & IT firms working from the Illawarra. Working individually or collaboratively, i3net members provide world class solutions for major projects, design and manufacture of components, both large and small, maintenance services and research and development for inventors and idea developers.