CorPower Ocean C4 WEC
The C4 is CorPower Ocean's first full-scale prototype device, and corresponds to stage 4 in the IEA-OES structured development process for ocean energy systems. Like previous CorPower WECs it is a Point Absorber with unique phase control technology that allows for maximising energy capture with a small, lightweight and low-cost device, overcoming the trade-offs between increased WEC size, mass, and cost. An overview of the device operation is given here.
The phase control allows the structure to move in phase with incoming waves during operational sea states, strongly amplifying the device motion and power capture. In a 1m wave the WEC moves 3m up and down, allowing a large amount of power to be captured by a small absorber volume. The same phase control technology allows the WEC to be “transparent” in harsh ocean conditions, providing survivability without the need to increase WEC size, mass and cost - a function equivalent to pitching the blades in commercial wind turbines that has been missing in wave energy. Inclusion of this control strategy on the C4 results in:
- Higher structural efficiency: The CorPower WEC can produce >10 MWh per tonne of equipment (>10 MWh/ton).
- Higher power capture: The higher structural efficiency allows CorPower WEC to harvest the same amount of power from a smaller volume buoy. The C4, 300kW WEC has a diameter of 9 m and weighs 130 tons (incl. foundation).
- Higher cost-efficiency. A design capable of capturing large amounts of electricity from a compact and lightweight device significantly reduces 1) CAPEX, due to the lower material consumption and manufacturing cost and 2) OPEX by enabling handling, transport, installation and O&M with relatively small low-cost cranes, port facilities and vessels, making it more efficient to install WECs in clusters (known as CorPacks) to accelerate economies of scale.
The C4 was first deployed at the Aguςadoura test site in Portugal in August 2023. The C4 is connected to the seabed using a patented and proprietary universal mooring, anchor & connectivity kit (UMACK), which is a geotechnical innovation that outperforms by >50% widely used gravity anchors and monopiles in terms of holding capacity, CAPEX, installation, and O&M costs. The key outcomes from the first deployment of C4 were as follows:
- All key system and subsystem functions verified.
- Ability to tune and detune the WEC according to varying sea states verified (tuned, detuned, survival).
- Limiting response to extreme storm waves while amplifying motion and power capture in regular waves using novel phase control technology.
- Storm survivability demonstrated in significant wave heights (Hs) up to 11m as well as individual waves (Hmax) up to 18.5 m – the largest wave height ever recorded in Portuguese waters.
- Power export to the national Portuguese grid demonstrated with a peak power generation of 600 kW.
- Measured power output slightly exceeding predictions by the digital twin, for the specific machinery settings used during the period.
- Automatic tracking of tide, tidal regulator following tide variations verified.
- Remote control, communications, and monitoring (SCADA) verified from control centre in Stockholm.
- Digital twin calibrated for motion and power with a close match between measured real and simulated data, showing a typical goodness of fit in the range of 96-99%.
- Stable station-keeping of the UMACK system verified.
- Successfully proven operations & maintenance of manned offshore access methods as well as disconnection & tow-back of WEC with small-sized vessels for planned on-land O&M cycle.
- Environmental monitoring performed at all project stages with no negative environmental impacts on ocean flora and fauna observed.
The C4 device will continue to operate at the site in Aguςadoura, and will be followed by the 3 next generation C5 devices which are currently under development. This will demonstrate CorPower Ocean's first productionised WEC system, corresponding to stage 5 in the IEA-OES structured development process for ocean energy systems. This will pave the way for deployment of CorPower Ocean's commercial wave farms, known as CorPacks.
Surface Expression- Wave
Test Sites where CorPower Ocean C4 WEC was tested
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Citation Formats
“CorPower Ocean C4 WEC.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https:https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/CorPower_Ocean_C4_WEC. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "CorPower Ocean C4 WEC." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https:https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/CorPower_Ocean_C4_WEC.
