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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/BioPower Systems bioWAVE
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BioPower Systems bioWAVE
The bioWAVE is a submerged structure that sways naturally back and forth beneath ocean swell waves. Energy absorbed from the waves is converted to electricity by an onboard self-contained O-Drive module. The electricity is delivered to onshore consumers by a subsea cable. Each bioWAVE is several stories high, and can produce up to 250kW of steady electrical power, roughly equivalent to about 200 houses. Electricity supplied from bioWAVE is expected to be more consistent than supply from wind or solar power, and could be the considered near-baseload in many locations. bioWAVE is protected by patents in all potential markets worldwide. The bioWAVE is mounted on the seafloor, with a pivot axis near the bottom. Each passing wave imparts large hydrodynamic forces on the air-filled cylindrical structures, thus harnessing wave energy at and below the surface. As the ocean water accelerates and decelerates around the cylinders with each wave, the structure responds by swaying in the same manner as a pendulum, resulting in a large, but varying and reversing, torque (or moment) about the pivot axis. Hydraulic cylinders, mounted near the pivot, pressurise fluid within an enclosed hydraulic system. The high-pressure fluid is supplied to an O-Drive module, which converts the irregular hydraulic energy into continuous grid-quality AC electricity. Power is then delivered to shore by a subsea cable.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?
Active
Technology Type
Power Take-Off
Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more
Hydraulic Generator
Max Rated Power Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.
250 KW
Surface ExpressionTrue
Estimated TRL
Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology
TRL Last updated: 24 December 2019
6
Energy Resource
- Wave
Water Column Position
Surface
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Submerged - Mid
Entire Water Column
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Submerged - Bottom
Projects Using BioPower Systems bioWAVE
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Citation Formats
“BioPower Systems bioWAVE.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/BioPower_Systems_bioWAVE. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "BioPower Systems bioWAVE." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/BioPower_Systems_bioWAVE.
Last modified: 6 June 2024