SPERBOY^TMis a floating buoy Oscillating Water Column (OWC) device consisting of a buoyant structure with a submerged & enclosed column. Housed above the OWC on top of the buoy is all the plant, turbines, generators and associated system facilities. The principle of operation is similar to that of fixed OWC’s designed for shoreline and fixed installations.
Except that a) The device is capable of deployment in deep water to maximize greatest energy source and, b) The entire body floats and maintains optimum hydrodynamic interactions for the prevailing and changing wave spectrum producing high energy capture at minimal cost.

1994 – 1998 Multi- tube OWC wave energy device concept devised, small scale models tested and patents secured.

1997-8 Funding secured from The European Commission in the frame work of the Non Nuclear Energy Programme JOULE III for research funding.

1999 – 2001. Research conducted at the U. of Plymouth culminating in a 1/5th size pilot device deployed south of Plymouth Sound.

2001 – 2003. Extensive computer modelling studies.

2003. Computer modelling prompted a change from multi to single tube concept.

2003 – 2005. SPERBOY^TM participated in the U.K. Carbon Trust’s Marine Energy Challenge. Independent consultants investigating its performance in terms of power capture as well as carrying out detailed study of both capital, operating and maintenance costing in arriving at their prediction for the cost of delivered electrical energy.

2005/6. Further support secured from The Carbon Trust and nPower to conduct a two year study, in association with Trafalgar Marine, entitled 'Advanced Concrete Structural Design of the SPERBOY^TM Wave Energy Converter’. Sub-contractors include W. S. Atkins & Co. and H.M.R.C., Cork.

2006. Agreement with Great Western Research to sponsor a Ph.D. programme at the Universities of Bath & Plymouth to further develop “Storm survivability and tuning strategies applicable to the SPERBOY^TM Wave Energy Converter”.

2007. Project work with the Universities of Bristol and The West of England

Floating buoy constructed using composite concrete materials

Dimensions vary depending on sea conditions at deployment site. Max envisaged – Diameter: 30M. Overall Height: 50M, Draft: 35M. Circular in plan – invariant to wave direction.

Greater than 50M, but less if located in less active seas using smaller device.

The mooring system composes of three or four diametric tethers to subsurface floats moored to suitable seabed fixings.

All conditions acceptable given suitable seabed fixings are attainable.

The annual energy production is clearly dependent on the wave climate at the deployment site. However, the study carried out during the Carbon Trust’s Marine Energy Challenge concluded, conservatively, that 450 kW mean annual output per device would be obtained at Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides (or Western Isles) off the coast of Scotland.

Researched and tested in the 1999 – 2001 research program

Tank testing was included in the 1991 to 2001 research programme to correlate data mathematically generated and that collected from the pilot deployment. It included regular and irregular trialsThe current programme supported by the Carbon Trust (2005/06) includes 2 tank testing programs. This will also cover both regular and irregular wave spectrum

1/5th scale tested in the 1999 – 2001 research program. Results published by University of Plymouth

Substantially competed under Carbon Trusts ‘Marine Energy Challenge’

Vessel design work current with the support of The Carbon Trust.

Since the device is designed for specific sites this will not commence until a funding package has been assembled. Current work provides the framework and foundation for this to commence immediately.

1) Install anchors
2) Lay shore to farm cables
3) Deploy devices
4) Lay inter-connecting cables
5) Commission

Deployment requires very little in terms of permanent infrastructure. The main body of the device can be manufactured in a location close to the site, floated out, transported and deployed by suitable vessels. All the skills required are similar to most offshore sectors and can be introduced as required. The actual deployment location will determine infrastructure required.

All current work has focused on the deployment of a 10-device farm. However this is not the optimum for commercial and operational considerations. Spacing is around 350 meters, depending on water depth, with a full size farm of 1000 devices requiring up to 10 – 15 square kilometres.mouth

Routine maintenance would be carried out on the device with major works requiring the units of modular design being replaced and taken back to shore for refurbishment. The design aim is a zero maintenance requirement.

Appropriate support vessel is required with the necessary capability. Current vessels have the capacity to be utilised and no new configurations are envisaged.

This is a simple reversal of the deployment procedure.