Producing Electricity From Wave Energy Engineering Essay

Producing Electricity From Wave Energy Engineering EssayWhen we receive the word, renewable zip the first things which pass off to mind argon solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric power and some might even numerate waste incineration as a way of producing capacity. Albeit beingness an island, few of us stop and ponder on the huge brawniness potential that in that location is in the pisss sur rotunding our island. Wave aught is slowly being made implement of round Europe, particularly in countries facing the Atlantic. Malta pissfall in the medium range of roam line of longitudes which gives the possibility to use small shudder muscularity germs which whoremaster generate a large amount of life force.Through this project our aim is to create a imposture which harnesses curve get-up-and-go and modifys it into electrical zilch. The determination must be greet effective, with no or limited contri aloneion to visual pollution and well-nigh importantly effic ient. Through this project we hope that we non only keep an eye on in creating a design which run fors that withal come up with a design that has a potential to be modify further in order to be utilized as a way of producing electrical push in the Maltese Islands.After signly, decision making on what we aim to do, our first step was to analyse thrive shape, dither patterns and curl up heights round the Maltese Islands. As part of our sign steps, we looked into current models of wave competency generators in order to get a clear picture to what is already instal globally. The final exam design which we came up with was what we codenamed Sea truism the name itself expresses the advantage of the design. The design swings on the waves and as it swings electricity is produced. As part of our project, we also carried out a stare with the aim of analyzing the public awareness and perception on wave efficiency. separate part of the project was interviews with Jamie Taylo r, in order to get to endure more(prenominal) about wave energy in Europe.Being constantly reminded that handed-down methods of energy proceeds are contributing to serious environmental problems, governments round the world are seeking new ways of generating electricity. Malta is no exception. By 2020, at least(prenominal) 20% of Maltas energy production has to come from renewable sources.As a response to the urgent need for pollution-free power generation, the energy sector was forced with a renovating process, which sees its sluttishing towards renewable energy. unmatchableness of the new emerging industries in the renewable energy fabrication is the wave energy industry. Although the technology is relatively new and currently not economically competitive with older technologies such as wind energy, the interest from governments and industry is steadily increasing. An important feature of sea waves is their high energy density, which is the highest among the renewable en ergy sources.The idea of converting the energy of ocean climb up waves into useful energy forms is not new. There are techniques that were first patented as archean as 1799 by Girard Son in France.Potential Energy of a WaveConsider a typical ocean wave, wavelength 200m, wave height 1. The wave is 10 ms-1. The water particles relocation up and down as in a typical wave but they also move sideways. These two motions combine to give a circular motion. The water particles cede both kinetic energy and gravitational energy. Both can be captured by suitable devices. A rough calculation of the wave energy can be found by assuming a material wave as shownThe square wave has wavelength 200m and amplitude 1m. The wave figurehead is assumed to be 1m wide. The bakshis of the wave is above the normal take aim while the till is below. The centre of gravity moved by the water as it goes from crest to trough, is 1m. The volume of water, moved is the volume of the crest.F is found exploita tion the equation c = f, f = c/ = 10/200 = 0.05 hZPower = Energy x Frequency = 106 x 0.05 = 5 x 104 WattsFor a sinusoidal wave, the power is about half(a) as much as that of a square wave. Hence, the power of a sinusoidal wave is equal 25 x 103 W. Besides, potential energy, a wave also has kinetic energy. This should be equal to the kinetic energy according to the theory of simple harmonic motion. Therefore, essence power, KE + PE = 5 x 104 Watts. In practice, the actual power generated will be smaller repayable to energy losses and inefficiencies of the on the whole system.How do wave energy devices work?Wave energy occurs in the straw man of water near the fold up of the sea. A wave is formed when the wind, effectively drags at the water as it blows across. As the wind becomes stronger and the distance over which it blows increases, the more energy the waves gain. As waves approach the coast, they begin to lose energy with friction with the sea floor and eventually break on the shore. Thus the greater amount of energy is found in waves in the deeper well-exposed waters offshore. All the different types of energy devices, take energy out of the motion of the water near the surface by converting the action of the waves into movements that power generators to produce electricity.Maltas Potential to harness wave energyBeing an island, we are an entirely surrounded by sea. statistical data from WERMED Malta shows that Malta is well positi iodind to make use of the energy stored in waves, which are on average of medium height to produce electrical energy. strain 1 bonnie Significant Wave Height and Wave cathexis (Source WERMED Malta)Design DevelopmentAfter initially deciding on the etymon of the project, a process of purpose the final wave generator was undergone. We listed the properties that the final design should have. Then we started designing designs which included the followingFigure 2 Requirements of the Wave GeneratorIn all four different des igns were interpreted into term. Each design was evaluated and its pros and cons were listed. Through this process, our aim was to come up with the dress hat possible design which is not only viable but also efficient.Design number 1The first design was inspired by the shake torch mechanism which incorporates a attractor passing through a gyrate and as it passes it generates an electric current. As the float bobs on water (when there are waves), the attractive force moves through the tube, passes through the whirl and generates an electric current. The tube is connected to a capacitor which stores the current. This design was control out, since it is not adequate for large scale energy generators.Figure 3 Design 1Design number 2The wave generator is bendable such that it moulds itself on the wave. At any point in time, one of the three barrel like floats is found at the trough and the other two barrel like floats are found at crest. At the same time, burthens in the side ar ms hit piezo plates which convert mechanical stress into electrical energy and a magnet moves through the volute in order to produce electricity by electromagnetic induction. The design is anchored from only one cylinder to allow free gyration to face current wave direction. The rotation is aided by trigon shaped structures attached to the barrel like floats.The two outside pose would be modified so they will have both weight and buoyancy. The center barrel will be modified so the total weight of the center barrel is twice that of one of the outside barrels.This design was control out after analyzing each aspect of the design. The energy production tube associated to piezo was deemed highly inefficient because piezo disks, only produce millivolts and thus not suitable to produce energy in large scale projects. The energy production system associated to gearbox system was deemed inefficient because there would be huge energy loss associated, to turning the gear wheels. On the ot her hand, we saw that there was potential in energy production using electromagnetic induction, thus we based our project on this form of energy production.Figure 4 Design Nos. 2Design number 3Figure 5 Design Nos. 3This design consisted of a tube, with coil wound almost and a magnet rolling interior. As the magnet rolled, through the coil, electricity is produced. Waves cause, the tube to shift to one side and the magnet consequently gains more speed as it moves towards the closure of the tube. This design was ruled out because as the magnet shifts to the end of the tube and hits the other side, energy is lost as it hits the end of the tube. Thus, the design is considered inefficient due to earthshaking energy losses.In designing, the final design a design which incorporates persisting motion was planned.Design number 4The wave generator is a long, narrow box pivoted and anchored in the middle so that, as one end goes up, the other goes down. One end goes on the wave crest and the other goes down with the trough of the wave. When one end, goes up the fluid inside the tube goes down and turns the turbine which is connected to the coil. As soon as it reaches the end of the tube, the flap closes and forces the fluid to flow backwards and the fluid takes the path on the other side. As it flows downwards, it turns the other turbine, which is connected to the magnets. The turbine and magnets turn in the confrontation direction, generating electricity by electromagnetic induction.Figure 6 Design Nos. 4Building the modelMaterials and ApparatusVoltmeter cablesPlastic CasingCopper Wire Coil2 MagnetsPerspex BoxesBushesOscilloscope body of waterIn practice, the Sea Saw should be half wavelength based on average values, so that one end rests on a crest and the other end rests on a trough. Its axis should be parallel to the motion of the wave, it is perpendicular to the wave front.AnchorSeabedIt should be anchored from the centre, to the sea bed. The anchor should be flexible so that it can adjust itself to water height/level.Preliminary examinationTest 1 Testing GeneratorString was wound around the magnets fuck. It was spun by pulling the string. electric potential was checked on an AC Voltmeter. bonny reading was About 2.3 Volts.The same reading was obtained on an oscilloscope. Peak was 2 cm, cycle was 8 cm long. Settings were 2 volts per cm. Time base was 10 ms per cm. These correspond to a peak emf of 4 volts. RMS (Root look on Square Voltage) was 2.8. Periodic Time was 80 ms. Frequency was 12.5 Hz.Theoretical voltage was calculated as followsEmf generated by each length of the coil when cutting the field lines is given byWhere B = Magnetic combine Density = 0.04 Tl = Diameter of Magnet 4.5 cm = 0.045mv = Average velocityTo find Average VelocityR = Average Radius of coil 5 cm = 0.05mF = Frequency of rotation 12.5 Hz (obtained from oscilloscope)At any time the coil is cutting the magnets at 4 different points. The coil had 70 turns .Total Peak Voltage = 5 VoltsThis agrees with the value obtained from the oscilloscope.Test 2 GatesIn the initial design, the gate were 20 cm high (Bottom to hinge). These started to hit the sides of the cooler and did not open properly. They were lowered to 13 cm. Weights in the form of heavy wrong(p) were attached to them using silicon sealer, in order to reduce the gates buoyancy since they are made of Perspex.The tank was filled with water. Wave movement was simulated by rocking the tank manually.FigureGates did not open properly and there was leakage of water. Water did not flow the despatch circuit but started to flow backwards. Water did not have large space to flow to at the ends. The design was emended by extending the tank incorporating a circular pathway.Friction at the bearings tended to make the magnet criminal record and coil to rotate in the same direction. This was due to the common shaft on which they were turning. The common shaft was used in order to arouse the system. On a larger model, the use of common shaft can be avoided.Backward movement was stopped by inserting a march on with each water turbine.Hinge moves in the direction of the pedal but not backwards.Further TestingPerformance with depth of water reconditeness of waterSpeed of Pedals/ Rev min-1Performance with different wave absolute frequencyWave FrequencySpeed of Pedals/ Rev min-1ImprovementsUse turbines instead of water mill.Smaller gates so that they open more effectively.Larger and monthlong Perspex box.Instead of water, use a denser fluid such as mercury.Water mills must have less flaps so that they do not reduce the flow of water.SurveyThe aim of the pile was to examine peoples perception on wave energy and their knowledge. A copy of the survey which was distributed is found in the appendix. The majority of those who answered the survey ranked wave energy as the second best way of producing electricity in Malta using renewable energy sources. This is understandab le since actually when seen in context wave energy is still in its early stages to be used as the main way of producing electricity thus it should be implemented unitedly with other forms of renewable energy.There was a considerable majority who answered that they neer heard of wave energy. Given that renewable energy has been on the agendum for the last five years and wave energy seem to know of it, it seems that the government and other authorities are not giving wave energy its due importance nor are they considering its potential at least in small levels. The lack of importance given to wave energy is also shown through the results obtained for question 4.The majority understand that wave energy has a potential but at the same time stand that further research should be carried out before it is implemented on a large scale. This was the general response both for question 5 and question 3.Question was largely mis understand and the few survey respondents who understood the que stion correctly accepted that wave energy can have a negative environmental impact, which can be minimised by designing a wave generator which is more environmentally friendly and has a smaller visual impact.The survey results show that people are not well informed and this point must be taken into consideration in designing the fair stand. The aim of the fair stand should not be merely to inform the public on our project but also on wave energy as a whole including its advantages and its disadvantages.