How did Converteam join the wave and tidal energy market?
The first project was OSPREY in 1995. This was an oscillating water column device rated at 2MW. It consisted of a steel structure with a false beach, the waves moved in and out of it and the piston effect forced air backwards and forwards through air turbines that spin in the same direction irrespective of airflow direction. The intention was that it would be towed to the site and ballasted down to sit on the seabed with the working parts above the surface. It worked well in all respects but sank during the towing operation. In 2002, Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) designed a unique wave device of the point absorber type. It sits, submerged, on the seabed and contains a linear generator that directly converts reciprocating wave motion into electricity. Converteam built the generator and power conversion system. How are these devices funded? It is very difficult to get funding to bring prototypes to market. Venture capital sees this as too risky; where government funding is available, it is
