Harnessing Wave Power With New 'Oyster' Machine
A giant new machine called' Oyster' designed to harness the power of ocean waves and turn it into ‘green' electricity is being installed on the seabed off the Atlantic shores of the Orkney Islands. In autumn 2009 it will undergo demonstration trials to prove whether its innovative technology could lead to a commercial source of renewable energy for use in seashores around the world.
In contrast to many other wave power devices, Oyster uses hydraulic
technology to transfer wave power to shore, where it is then converted
into electricity. ‘A key design feature is a 18m wide oscillator based
on fundamental research at Queen's University Belfast led by Professor
Trevor Whittaker using their wave tanks', explains Dr Ronan Doherty,
Chief Technical Officer of Aquamarine Power the Edinburgh based company
which has developed the first ‘Oyster'. The oscillator is fitted with
pistons and, when activated by wave action, pumps high-pressure water
through a sub sea pipeline to the shore. Onshore, conventional
hydroelectric generators convert this high-pressure water into
electrical energy.
‘The whole field of generating electricity from wave power is ground
breaking' says Dr Doherty, ‘But Oyster' technology is highly innovative
because it relies on simplicity. Its offshore component -a highly
reliable flap with minimal submerged moving parts - is the key to its
success when operating in seas vulnerable to bad weather where
maintenance can be very difficult. There is no underwater generator,
power electronics or gearbox underwater to go wrong. All the complex
power generation equipment remains easily accessible onshore'.
Oyster is designed to be deployed at near-shore water depths of 12 to
16 metres, benefiting from the more consistent seas and narrower
directional spread of the waves in this location. The reduced wave
height and load enhance survivability and allow a high percentage of
annual average power and consistent power delivery. Any excess energy is
spilled over the top of the flap, its rotational capacity allowing it
to literally duck under the waves.
The environmental risks associated with the device are minimised by
using only water as its hydraulic fluid, rather than oil, and there are
no toxic substances involved. It is also silent in operation. Based on
figures from the Carbon Trust, each Oyster's annual carbon saving could
be as much as 500 tonnes.
Although at an early stage of development, the Oyster concept could
have significant potential for use in many locations around the world.
Dr Doherty explains: ‘Our computer modelling of coastlines suitable for
this technology shows that Spain, Portugal, Ireland and the UK are ideal
candidates in Europe. But globally there is huge scope in areas like
the North West coast of the USA and coastlines off South Africa,
Australia and Chile. We estimate that the potential size of the market
could be in excess of £50 billion'.
Earliest
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torture or ordeal. During Middle Ages in the Europe, torture was the
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torture for extracting the truth from a person made an exit and a new
lie detection method took over. Daniel Defoe was the earliest of men to
suggest such a method through evaluation of heart rate. In 18th
century, the torturous methods declined completely due to continuous
campaigns against the judicial torture in the Europe. This humane way of
detecting lie through lie detector was accepted by majority during this
time. 
