AWS details

The Archimedes Wave Swing of Teamwork Technology Bv

One of the core activities of Teamwork Technology is the development of environmentally-friendly energy generation systems. In this framework, a great deal of work has been carried out over the last few years in respect of the development of the Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS), in which interest is now being shown worldwide. The inventor of the AWS is Fred Gardner, a partner in the agency. The AWS consists of a large air chamber which is installed just above the seabed. Due to the ever present wave motions in the ocean, the upper section of the air chamber is continuously moved up and down. A system has been developed which converts those motions into electrical current by means of a generator mounted in an advanced machine chamber. By linking together a series of these air chambers a considerable volume of energy can be generated, which can then be transported to the mainland via a cable. Research by the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN) has now demonstrated both the technical and economic feasibility of the AWS system. Model tests (at 1:20th scale) carried out by Delft Hydraulics have also proved that this system can successfully capture 20% of the energy generated by waves with a height of 5 metres. In wave tanks, the ocean swell off the coast of Portugal has been simulated. In other words, the extensive tests have demonstrated that the AWS fulfills the highest expectations placed on it, and that it could be successfully deployed at any location around the world, where there is sufficient ocean swell. It is for example an ideal system for countries with few other energy generation systems, or for countries which have expressed a preference for generating ‘green’ energy in an extremely environmentally-friendly manner.

Figure 1.Model testing of the Archimedes Wave Swing

To permit further development of the system, a special joint venture was established in mid-1997 operating under the name AWS B.V., based at the same address as Teamwork Technology. Participants in the joint venture are NUON (a Dutch electricity distribution company), ECN, Delft Hydraulics, Teamwork Technology and a private investor. The first action taken by the joint venture was to carry out model tests (1:50th scale) at the HMRC research institute in Cork, Ireland. These tests have now been successfully concluded, and at present we are hard at work on a basic design for a pilot project. It is possible that this full-scale model will be ready for installation off the Portuguese coast, on the ocean bed, by the start of the year 2000. We expect to be able to market the system, for which AWS has now acquired the world-wide patent, on a commercial scale, by the year 2001. The Dutch offshore industry, with such companies as Hydraudyne, Van Rietschoten & Houwens Technology and Smit International, has sufficient knowledge and capabil-ities for building and installing the AWS offshore.