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The idea of this project is to see how feasible (realistic) it might be to use oscillating water columns (OWCs) on Hispaniola. OWCs are devices that use wave movement to spin a turbine that then generates clean, sustainable electricity.
We need people with knowledge of physics, mathematics, earth science...
The idea in the picture at right (click to enlarge) is an adaptation from some alt energy stuff seen at http://www.wavegen.co.uk/ I've been interested in the idea of OWCs mainly because of their many advantages compared to other types of wave-based generators:
1) simplicity--only one significant moving part (the Wells turbine)
2) fairly low environmental impact (aesthetic and other)
3) does not need to be put out at sea where maintenance and positioning/anchoring become more
difficult
--Having the only moving part on land (turbine) allows for easy maintenance
--Unlike most other wave energy generators, not having moving parts directly exposed to sea water and wave action minimizes wear and tear
If you compare this design to the LIMPET from the Wavegen site, you'll note some diffferences.
One of the biggest issues with the Wavegen LIMPET device is the cost of construction, which then
obviously affects its commercial viability.
This adaptation looks to lower the construction costs significantly by allowing components to be
created off-site (Sinercon?) and by negating the need for expensive civil engineering in the excavation of the
bund wall. The air chamber can be placed directly into the water from land, avoding the need to
tow and position it from the water.
Another idea is to use naturally occuring chambers (blow holes, which we can see all over the
place along the Dominican shore) to act in a similar way, thus, in that location, avoiding the
need to build an artificial air chamber and the crane system needed to hold it in place.
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Click to enlarge.
Get the Sketchup file here. |
