Startside

Conclusion

MAWEC is a Multi Absorbing Wave Energy Converter that in real tests on a model has proven that it works. It is not a theoretical study assumed to work. There are still possibilities for improvements that could increase the power output. On the energy meassurements there are known losses that will not be there on a full scale WEC. On a full scale WEC the turbines could be inside the WEC in the wall between the pressure channel and the suck channel. Hereby the known losses in the hoses on the test model will be eliminated. The diameter of the tubes, the tilt angle, the shape of the tubes and the distance between the tubes can also be optimized to the point where most energy is produced for the money. On a full scale WEC it is also likely that improvements could be made on the valves. With all these possibilities it is not ulikely that the power take up efficiency could rise from 0.29 to 0.40 or higher.

MAWEC is also a very simple machine. Beside the generators and turbines the only moving parts are the valves which in fact just is a sheet made of a glassfibre sandwich. It operates at low pressure and high volumen flow which make that it is not sensitive to leakage that may occur. It is a low weight machine which will weigh less than 10 % of what a eg a Wavedragon weighs, when compared with the same amount of MW installed.

The construction with theese big channels separated by walls is ideal for having a strong construction with low material usage.

As the tubes are tilted, just like the front and back wall also should be for areodynamic reasons, big waves that hit the WEC will glide off the WEC and not hit it with full impack. This helps to keep the design loads smaller.

The most important thing that differ this WEC from other WEC is that the production cost seems to be much lower than for the other known WEC’s. In 5 or 10 years it is not unlikely that this WEC will be able to compeat against off shore windpower.