Project: A Hybrid Wave Energy Convertor for Ports

Acronym	WEC4Ports (Reference Number: 5111)
Duration	02/03/2020 - 28/02/2023
Project Topic	he integration of WECs in port breakwaters represents a realistic solution to set these infrastructures on the right track in terms of balancing environmental challenges with economic demands. Further, authorities and the firms established upon port complexes are faced with the challenge of boosting both their international competitiveness and environmental performance, therefore being a unique industrial ecosystem to analyse what are the societal, environmental and economic impacts of ocean energy.WEC4Ports builds on SE@PORTS (ongoing OCEANERA-NETproject), where a novel hybrid-WEC (h-WEC)that uses well understood power generating technologies, air and water turbines, has been designed. This innovative concept uses hybridisation as a means to harness the available energy most efficientlyover a wide range of ocean conditions. Further, WEC4Ports focus on the incorporation of the h-WEC in breakwaters, as a means to leverage the overall economics of upfront CAPEX.The project will perform further industrial R&D (progress through TRL 5/6) so to: (i)improve technology performance, (ii)perform reliability and survivability assessments of the h-WEC and its components, (iii)optimize breakwater integration to minimizing costs and reduce the LCoE. WEC4Ports will have a strong focus on fabrication/validation/demonstration of key components in real conditions atMutriku testing site.IMDC perform advanced experimental/CFD-modelling to studywave-structure-interactionand to improve the overall hydraulic efficiencyof the h-WEC. UPorto analyses, experimentally, the impact of the h-WEC module on the breakwater functionality and stability, as well as the survivability of the whole solution.INEGI performsnumerical analysis of the power outputand improvesthe advanced control strategies ofthe turbinesto maximize power production.IMDC/ECT model air and hydro turbines to optimise efficienciesand performs detailed load/stress assessmentto support the design of components to be demonstrated. ECT works on the design/testing/manufacture of the turbine blades and structurefor a full-scale demonstrator, and on the survivability of composite-materials in harsh marine-environments. All partners support the development of the basis for a complete reliability assessmentof thenovel h-WEC technology.WEC4Ports expected impact is to help overcoming barriers and challenges faced by stakeholders on both sides, technology developers (e.g.,interested in validatingand demonstratingtheir technologies and interested in learning about specific additional uncertainties and risks) and end-users (e.g.,port-authorities that are expected to be open to promoting the use of renewable energy,but express concerns about risks linked to both installation and operation), essential learnings to progress towards commercial deployment and industrial roll-out.Public perception on this criticalinfrastructureis often negativebecause of air pollution and other environmental problems, both are expected to improve if such technologies are implemented.
Network	OCEANERA-NET COFUND
Call	OCEANERA-NET Cofund Call Joint Call 2019

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	International Marine and Dredging Consultants	Coordinator	Belgium
2	University of Porto	Partner	Portugal
3	INEGI	Partner	Portugal
4	Eire Composites	Partner	Ireland