HERO-WEC/Build Materials

Bill of Materials of the Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter and the Deployment Process

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The NREL HERO WEC research team hopes that by disseminating the device’s design materials and lessons learned during its deployments, others might iterate upon the device and further advance marine energy. The following tips may help other marine energy innovators as they develop and deploy their own devices.

NREL researcher Scott Jenne puts some finishing touches on the HERO WEC in the lab. Credit: Andrew Simms, NREL

Make a Plan

The NREL-CSI team preps the HERO WEC for its impending saltwater splash on the dock at Jennette’s Pier. Credit: Andrew Simms, NREL

From crane operators to marine mammal spotters to divers, a successful device deployment requires logistical planning and the work of many team members.

Based on their deployment experiences, the NREL team suggests walking through everything step by step on land and ensuring that all team members understand their respective roles and responsibilities prior to deployment. Thinking through the various contingencies and developing a plan to address them beforehand—for example, if a diver needs to turn a valve in the water, a lift needs to be performed, or multiple people need to operate in a tight spot—can minimize the likelihood of unnecessary setbacks during the actual deployment process.

Developing backup plans is essential: When working in the ocean, it is likely that something unexpected will happen, rendering the initial plan unrealistic.

Keep the components that must be maintained or replaced out of the water as much as possible. Once the WEC is in the water, any maintenance or tuning needs may have to wait until after the waves die down. As such, being able to make modifications on dry land will always be a faster fix.

Develop Realistic Timelines and Designs

Double the time you think it’s going to take to deploy a marine energy device. Overall, make sure the device does what it was intended to do and does it well, regardless of the application.

Keep It Simple

Coastal Studies Institute Research Operations Manager Corey Adams prepares the chain pile anchor for deployment. Credit: Coastal Studies Institute

In terms of the design, the focus should be on achieving a working device. The more complex the design, the greater number of failure points and, therefore, the greater the likelihood of device failure. It also bears keeping in mind that the simplest things to do on land are very difficult for a diver to do underwater.

Know Your Toolbox

It is important to have a clear understanding of both the available resources, as well as the resource requirements, for deploying a marine energy device.

For example, deploying a device with the assistance of a partner such as the Coastal Studies Institute, who provided expertise and equipment such as large chain pile anchors and the means to transport them, is a different type of deployment than one performed in a remote area without the benefit of such support.

Learn by Doing

The NREL-CSI team lowers a wave runner into the ocean to assist with the HERO WEC installation. Credit: Andrew Simms, NREL

Be willing to course-correct along the way.

The NREL team built the HERO WEC, primarily, to ensure that every member of the team had gone through each step in the deployment in advance of the DRINK Stage finale.

Before arriving in North Carolina, the NREL team collaborated closely with the experts at the Coastal Studies Institute to confirm that the device as designed would not only be seaworthy but could also be safely deployed.

Until a team has gone through the design and deployment process firsthand, it could be easy to overlook small—but very important—details. For example, the NREL-CSI team had to address issues such as how the WEC would be transported down the pier, or how the WEC could be released from the crane without the quick-release falling on or breaking a fragile pressure gauge.

Iteration Is Key

It is impossible to get everything right the first time around. Perhaps most of it is right and then, over time, the team may swap out a piece that did not work or swap out one part for another less expensive part. Iteration must be part of the process.