The bombora wave energy converter: A novel multi-purpose device for electricity, coastal protection and surf breaks
Access Status
Authors
Date
2015Collection
Type
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
New methodologies and techniques are necessary for developers of ocean wave energy converters (WEC) to overcome barriers to the development of their technology and contribute to making them competitive. One aspect of particular importance to WEC performance is associated with the water/energy conversion interface. Depending on the device the interface may be either a fluid, solid or flexible element, but will always involve a moving boundary of some type. The Australian company Bombora Wave Power (Bombora) are developing a globally unique and innovative WEC technology that uses a large flexible membrane as the conversion interface. Another feature of their patented concept is the ability to readily survive the worst possible storm conditions, potentially giving the concept huge operational and cost advantages over most existing WEC technologies. This paper presents details on the design and operation of the Bombora concept and outlines current research activities. This includes both physical scale model experiments and numerical techniques, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the behaviour of the device as an energy generator, provider of coastal protection and/or creator of surf breaks. Details of the proof-of-concept experimental programs performed in the shallow water wave basin at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), University of Tasmania are presented and discussed, including the development of a novel underwater photogrammetry technique for quantifying the deformation of the flexible membrane. Several other complete and planned activities to further develop this novel technology are also discussed.
Citation
Source Title
Department
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Darbyshire, James (2010)In the past five years, global interest regarding the development of renewable energy technologies has significantly increased. The conventional electric power generation methods sourced from fossil fuels is now problematic, ...
-
Marinova, Dora (2009)In the tradition of technological innovation waves (modelled following Kondratieff’s long waves hypothesis), the paper explores the emergence of the 6th technological wave associated with the development of new technological ...
-
Surovtseva, Daria (2010)According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4), fossil fuels are utilised to produce more than 80% of the world's energy and this is likely to remain unchanged in the nearest ...