Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Wave energy is reaching a critical stage, following over three decades of intensive research and development. The first few full-scale prototypes have been tested at sea and the first pre-commercial orders were placed. The first offshore wave farm is to be installed in the near future and it is likely that similar schemes will shortly follow. Such projects will in the medium term provide a comparable output to the conventional wind farms, allowing an alternative approach when trying to ov- come the technological challenge of finding alternative renewable energy sources. It will also fulfil one of the oldest desires of civilization: to harness the power of ocean waves. This book compiles a number of contributions prepared with the aim of prov- ing the reader with an updated and global view on ocean wave energy conversion. Given the topics covered and the link between of all them, it can be considered one of the first textbooks (or handbooks) related to this field. The authors are r- ognised individuals within the wave energy community with different ba- grounds, and their contributions try to give an overall perspective of the state of the art of different technologies. The book does not intend to point to a specific technology; the market will be responsible for that.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface (p. v)
• 1 Introduction (p. 1)
• 1.1 Wave Energy Literature (p. 2)
• 1.2 Chapter Layout (p. 4)
• References (p. 6)
• 2 Looking Back (p. 7)
• 2.1 Wave Energy at the University of Edinburgh (p. 8)
• 2.1.1 Politics (p. 19)
• 2.1.2 Life after politics (p. 25)
• 2.2 Looking Forward (p. 35)
• Acknowledgements (p. 38)
• References (p. 38)
• 3 The Theory Behind the Conversion of Ocean Wave Energy: a Review (p. 41)
• 3.1 Introduction (p. 41)
• 3.1.1 Historical and Parallel Perspectives (p. 42)
• 3.1.2 Scope of the Review (p. 42)
• 3.2 Terminology and Concepts (p. 43)
• 3.2.1 Conversion Terminology (p. 43)
• 3.2.2 Classification of Devices (p. 45)
• 3.2.3 Alternative Device Classification (p. 46)
• 3.3 Preliminary Considerations (p. 47)
• 3.3.1 The Conversion Requirement (p. 47)
• 3.3.2 Modelling the Resource (p. 50)
• 3.3.3 Survivability (p. 52)
• 3.4 The Hydrodynamics of Offshore Devices (p. 52)
• 3.4.1 Hydrodynamic Approximations (p. 54)
• 3.4.2 The Equation of Motion (p. 58)
• 3.5 Optimal Hydrodynamic Performance (p. 59)
• 3.5.1 A Single Axisymmetric Device (p. 62)
• 3.5.2 Constrained Motion (p. 63)
• 3.5.3 Arrays of Devices (p. 65)
• 3.5.4 Elongated Bodies (p. 67)
• 3.6 Control and Design (p. 69)
• 3.6.1 Tuning and Bandwidth (p. 70)
• 3.6.2 Design (p. 73)
• 3.6.3 Control Strategies (p. 77)
• 3.7 The Oscillating Water Column (p. 79)
• 3.7.1 Frequency Domain Modelling (p. 80)
• 3.7.2 Time Domain Modelling and Control (p. 87)
• 3.8 Discussion (p. 88)
• References (p. 89)
• 4 The Wave Energy Resource (p. 93)
• 4.1 The Resource and its Origin (p. 93)
• 4.2 Sea States and their Energy (p. 104)
• 4.2.1 Directional Spectra Estimation Using Stochastic Methods (p. 106)
• 4.2.2 Directional Spectra Estimation Using Deterministic Methods (p. 112)
• 4.2.3 Case Study Using Waverider Data (p. 114)
• 4.3 Wave Growth, Travel and Decay (p. 115)
• 4.4 Wave Climate Estimation (p. 116)
• 4.4.1 Buoys (p. 117)
• 4.4.2 Satellite Altimeters (p. 120)
• 4.4.3 Global Wave Models (p. 121)
• 4.4.4 Model Validation and Calibration (p. 124)
• 4.5 Wave Energy in Shallow Water (p. 128)
• 4.6 Discussion (p. 130)
• References (p. 130)
• 5 Numerical and Experimental Modelling of WECs (p. 133)
• 5.1 Fundamentals of Numerical Modelling (p. 133)
• 5.1.1 Introduction to Panel Methods (p. 134)
• 5.1.2 Applications of Panel Methods to Wave Energy Conversion (p. 138)
• 5.2 Wave Tank and Wavemaker Design (p. 147)
• 5.2.1 Tank Width (p. 150)
• 5.2.2 Tank Length (p. 152)
• 5.2.3 Paddle Size (p. 152)
• 5.2.4 Multiple Paddles (p. 152)
• 5.2.5 Drive and Control Systems (p. 153)
• 5.2.6 Absorbing Wavemakers (p. 154)
• 5.2.7 Absorbing Beaches (p. 155)
• 5.2.8 Examples of Wave Tanks (p. 157)
• 5.3 Guidelines for Laboratory Testing of WECs (p. 160)
• 5.3.1 Introduction (p. 160)
• 5.3.2 Laboratory Testing (p. 161)
• 5.3.3 Shortcomings of Existing Practices (p. 163)
• 5.3.4 Results and Conclusions (p. 166)
• 5.3.5 Recommendations (p. 168)
• 5.4 Case Study: Pelamis (p. 169)
• 5.4.1 Numerical Simulation (p. 170)
• 5.4.2 Experimental Modelling (p. 175)
• 5.4.3 Outcomes (p. 183)
• 5.5 Discussion (p. 184)
• References (p. 184)
• 6 Power Take-Off Systems (p. 189)
• 6.1 Air Turbine Design for OWCs (p. 189)
• 6.1.1 Introduction (p. 189)
• 6.1.2 Integrated systems: Engineering Design Requirements (p. 190)
• 6.1.3 Air Turbine Design Configurations (p. 199)
• 6.1.4 Operational Findings for the Wells Turbine (p. 215)
• 6.1.5 Discussion and Conclusions (p. 218)
• 6.2 Direct Drive - Linear Generators (p. 220)
• 6.2.1 Principles of Direct Drive Wave Energy Conversion With Linear Generators (p. 220)
• 6.2.2 Linear Generators (p. 225)
• 6.2.3 Linear Machines Topologies (p. 230)
• 6.2.4 Case Study: 3 m Point Absorber (p. 234)
• 6.3 Hydraulics (p. 241)
• 6.3.1 Introduction (p. 241)
• 6.3.2 Spline Pumps (p. 242)
• 6.3.3 Increasing Complexity (p. 243)
• 6.3.4 Advantages of Oil-Hydraulics (p. 246)
• 6.3.5 Hydraulic Circuits (p. 246)
• 6.3.6 Linear Pumps (p. 249)
• 6.3.7 Rotary Pumps (p. 249)
• 6.3.8 Ring-cam Pumps (p. 250)
• 6.3.9 Hydraulic Motors (p. 251)
• 6.3.10 Flow Commutation (p. 253)
• 6.3.11 Losses (p. 253)
• 6.3.12 Active Valves (p. 255)
• 6.3.13 Active Valve Machines (p. 256)
• 6.3.14 Digital DisplacementTM (p. 259)
• 6.4 Alternative Applications: Desalination (p. 261)
• 6.4.1 Introduction (p. 261)
• 6.4.2 Desalination Technologies (p. 262)
• 6.4.3 Current Status of Wave-Powered Desalination (p. 266)
• 6.4.4 Challenges in Wave-Powered Desalination (p. 274)
• 6.4.5 Prospects for Wave-Powered Desalination (p. 275)
• 6.5 Discussion (p. 278)
• References (p. 279)
• 7 Full-Scale WECs (p. 287)
• 7.1 Oscillating Water Column (p. 287)
• 7.1.1 LIMPET (p. 287)
• 7.1.2 Pico - European Pilot Plant (p. 294)
• 7.2 Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) (p. 297)
• 7.2.1 History (p. 297)
• 7.2.2 Design of the Full-scale Pilot Plant (p. 300)
• 7.2.3 Linear Generator Design (p. 301)
• 7.3 Pelamis (p. 304)
• 7.3.1 Development Programme (p. 305)
• 7.3.2 Power Take-off (p. 310)
• 7.3.3 Pelamis Hydrodynamics - Harnessing and Hiding (p. 313)
• 7.3.4 Shedding the Load (p. 317)
• 7.3.5 Implementation - Technology Transfer (p. 319)
• 7.4 Wave Dragon (p. 321)
• 7.4.1 A Floating Overtopping Device (p. 322)
• 7.4.2 History of the Wave Dragon (p. 324)
• 7.4.3 Overtopping Theory (p. 325)
• 7.4.4 Wave Reflector Wings (p. 328)
• 7.4.5 Low Head Turbines and Power Train (p. 330)
• 7.4.6 Control (p. 334)
• 7.4.7 Summary (p. 335)
• 7.5 Operational Experience (p. 335)
• 7.5.1 Oscillating Water Column - LIMPET (p. 336)
• 7.5.2 Oscillating Water Column - Pico Plant (p. 342)
• 7.5.3 Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) (p. 350)
• 7.5.4 Pelamis (p. 361)
• 7.5.5 Wave Dragon (p. 371)
• 7.6 Test Centres, Pilot Zones and European Cooperation (p. 383)
• 7.6.1 Case Study: Wave Dragon (p. 385)
• 7.7 Discussion (p. 393)
• References (p. 393)
• 8 Environmental Impact Assessment (p. 397)
• 8.1 Legislation and Administrative Issues (p. 398)
• 8.1.1 The Need to Establish a Common Legislation (p. 398)
• 8.1.2 Structure of an EIA: Methodologies (p. 401)
• 8.2 Scientific Matters (p. 407)
• 8.2.1 Potential Environmental Impacts and the Need for Monitoring (p. 407)
• 8.2.2 Monitoring (p. 414)
• 8.2.3 Mitigation Measures (p. 416)
• 8.3 Case Studies (p. 417)
• 8.3.1 Tests of Single Devices (p. 417)
• 8.3.2 European Marine Energy Centre - EMEC (p. 417)
• 8.3.3 Tests of the First Arrays (p. 418)
• 8.4 Discussion (p. 419)
• References (p. 419)
• Author Index (p. 425)
• Index (p. 429)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Obtaining useful energy from ocean waves has been a longstanding hope among engineers for many years. Numerous schemes/designs have been proposed, but the ocean is a hard opponent to master. This work, the first volume in the "Green Energy and Technology" series, edited by Cruz (industry), gives the reader a snapshot of the latest attempts. Although most of the tries up until now do work, the ocean has always won in the end. The power of an ocean storm is awesome, and anything one can erect in the ocean can be destroyed by a big enough storm. The authors show mathematically how the power of the ocean can be harnessed, but then show pictures of one of the latest failures (after a storm). The book includes many illustrations, and references follow each chapter. This is a valuable, well-researched look at a fascinating technology. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. J. C. Comer emeritus, Northern Illinois University