Measuring Real-Time Wave Data with Ocean Wave Buoy
Critical Need:
Renewable energy is critical to our environmental, economic, and national security. Demand for energy is on the rise, as is our national reliance on fossil fuel-based power plants for the bulk of our electricity generation. There is a drastic need for safe, clean, and cost-effective alternatives to coal, such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, and geothermal power. These technologies would reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and help position the U.S. as a leader in the global renewable energy industry.
Project Innovation + Advantages:
Integral Consulting is developing a cost-effective ocean wave buoy system that will accurately measure its own movements as it follows the surface wave motions of the ocean and relay this real-time wave data. Conventional real-time wave measurement buoys are expensive, which limits the ability to deploy large networks of buoys. Data from Integral Consulting’s buoys can be used as input to control strategies of wave energy conversion (WEC) devices and allow these controlled WECs to capture significantly more energy than systems that do not employ control strategies. Integral Consulting’s system will also enable assessment of the optimal locations and designs of WEC systems. Integral Consulting’s ocean wave buoy system could measure and relay real-time wave data at 10% the cost of commercially available wave measurement systems.
Potential Impact:
If successful, Integral Consulting’s wave measurement system would enable more efficient and cost-effective ocean energy conversion systems and provide the innovative step forward to propel WEC designs from a niche technology to an affordable energy resource for the U.S.
Security:
Increased availability of renewable power would help diversify the U.S. energy portfolio, allowing homeowners and businesses access to a grid that is less dependent on any one source of power. Providing clean electricity would significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation. Presently, over 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity generation.
Environment:
Providing clean electricity would significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation. Presently, over 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions come from electricity generation.
Economy:
Enabling alternative sources of energy like WEC could help stabilize and reduce the price of energy. This could result in significant cost savings over fossil fuels in the years to come.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Christopher Atkinson
Project Contact:
Grace Chang
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
gchang@integral-corp.com
Partners
Sandia National Laboratory
Related Projects
Release Date:
11/28/2012