Most of the settlements in the coastal territory of Khabarovsk Krai are not connected to common power network. Up to 90 % of the electricity of the Kamchatka and Sakhalin regions is produced on imported fuel. Due to high transport expenses power cost is higher than the global average in 5-6 times. In addition, the fuel supply is not always reliable and depends on the weather conditions and the availability of transport, and diesel generators often fail.
Sea waves have a higher energy density as compared with wind and sun. For example, the technical potential of wave force of the Pacific Ocean coast 10 km longwise is about 150 MW. It is the existing energy of all Kamchatka.
The purpose of this project is to develop the wave energy converter to supply small settlements and sites on the sea coast of the Far East with power.
Small marine energy converter of gravitational waves contains the flap rocked by waves, associated with the bottom edge of fixed base horizontal joints and connected to the hydraulic piston transducers. Righting moment is provided with flexible bonds, fixed on the flap and fixed base.
The principle of operation of the device is based on the following. Breaking wave affects hinged plate, deflecting it from the vertical position. Elastic connection with the float, ensure the return of the plate in the vertical position after wave set up. Power take-off unit carries out selection of wave energy and transfers it to a power generator.
Thus, the technical result is achieved by:
− the increased hydrodynamic qualities of flap;
− the possibility of tuning the device for optimum operation by adjusting the righting moment.
Over the past year the mathematical model of the converter is designed, a program of calculating the hydrodynamics and the experimental model of the converter is created. Calculations for different system parameters are performed, and experiments with model irregular rough waters are also conducted. Comparison of the results of calculations and experiments has shown that they close by match.
Actually, in recent years, very intensive work is conducted on wave energy. Experienced and effective exploiting wave power plant existed. But most of them focused on the rather large waves. The main idea of the project is to create small installations (with flaps up to 1-2 m high), and increase the efficiency of small waves (up to 0.5-1 m), which will allow to apply them for a large part of the coast and without long jam.
The consumers of small wave powers will be individual residents and administration of residential areas, villas, lodges, camps, commercial enterprises, military units, various stations of shore services. The variants of converters for use aboard ships and offshore structures are examined. They can also be used to convert wave energy directly into thrust, that is, to work as wave thrusters.
The economic efficiency of the wave converter for consumers expressed in the absence of costs for the purchase of fuel and reduced costs for maintenance and repair at a comparable (or less) cost of wave devices in comparison with wind generators.