CORES is an FP7 European collaborative research project focusing on new components and concepts for ocean energy convertors.
Wave Energy Convertors are at an early stage of development. First generation devices have been deployed at the shoreline and normally consist of Oscillating Water Column Systems. In order for these systems to progress towards full commercial realisation they must develop into units suited to mass production.
This project follows the successful FP6 funding round in which several fixed Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Convertors (OWC WECs) were funded at demonstration level. These systems are now evolving from fixed to floating devices in deeper water, further offshore. This brings new challenges which this project aims to address.
The project will concentrate on the development of new concepts and components for power-take-off, control, moorings, risers, data acquisition and instrumentation based on floating OWC systems. However, the components and concepts developed will have relevance to other floating device types. This project will run for a 3 year period, having commenced in April 2008.
The impacts of the project will be focused on reducing technical and non-technical risk in the marine environment as well as reducing the cost per kWh of generated energy.
The new components and concepts will be tested on a floating OWC test platform at sea and these real, validated and verified results will be integrated into a holistic system model. This model will provide a Toolbox for wave to wire simulations of complete WEC systems.
The Marine Institute Galway Bay Test site is location for the field test of the project. The Ocean Energy Buoy hull will be used as a test platform.
The project is split into 4 Workpackages:
1. . Work Package 1: Airtubines
2. . Work Package 2: Electrical and control
3. . Work Package 3: Moorings and Risers
4. . Work Package 4: Field Testing
