PELAMIS

P-750
WAVE ENERGY
CONVERTER
The Pelamis P-750 Wave Energy Converter is the result KEY FEATURES
of extensive testing, modelling and development by
● SURVIVABILITY
Pelamis Wave Power, formerly known as Ocean Power The core theme of the Pelamis WEC
Delivery. concept is survivability. All Wave Energy
Converters absorb power in small waves
The machine is a semi-submerged, articulated structure
through HYDROSTATIC forces – that is
composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints.
buoyancy versus weight or
The wave-induced motion of these joints is resisted by
hydrostatic pressure. However extreme
hydraulic rams, which pump high-pressure oil through
loads in waves arise from the
hydraulic motors via smoothing accumulators. The HYDRODYNAMIC forces, namely inertia,
hydraulic motors drive electrical generators to produce drag and slamming. The Pelamis is very
electricity. Power from all the joints is fed down a single strongly coupled hydrostatically but is
umbilical cable to a junction on the sea bed. Several almost invisible to large hydrodynamic
devices can be connected together and linked to shore effects.
through a single seabed cable.
● 100% AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY
A novel joint configuration is used to induce a tuneable, The Pelamis is an assembly of proven
cross-coupled resonant response, which greatly increases technology from the offshore oil and
power capture in small seas. Control of the restraint
gas sector.

applied to the joints allows this resonant response to be ● NON SITE SPECIFIC
‘turned-up’ in small seas where capture efficiency must The Pelamis is designed for offshore
be maximised or ‘turned-down’ to limit loads and motions locations with water depths of 50 –
in survival conditions. The machine is held in position by 70m, giving maximum flexibility and
a mooring system, comprising of a combination of floats scalability.
and weights which prevent the mooring cables becoming
● MINIMUM ON-SITE WORK
taut. It maintains enough restraint to keep the Pelamis The Pelamis is constructed, tested and
positioned but allows the machine to swing head on to maintained off-site with a minimum of
oncoming waves. Reference is achieved by spanning installation work required on-site.
successive wave crests.
● POWER CAPTURE EFFICIENCY
The Pelamis is designed to be moored in waters The Pelamis can be tuned to match
approximately 50-70m in depth (typically 5-10km from conditions and optimise energy
the shore) where the high energy levels found in deep extraction.
swell waves can be accessed. ● DESIGN INDEPENDENTLY
The design of the Pelamis has been independently verified VERIFIED
by WS Atkins according to (DNV) offshore codes and
standards.

PELAMIS
P-750 WAVE ENERGY CONVERTER
These are internal
views of the Power
Conversion
Module.

Power Limiting Power Matrix

Example of Pelamis hydrodynamic power limiting for a The Power Matrix shows the power generated by the
representative wave period (Tpow) of 8 seconds. Above Pelamis in a range of sea spectra defined by significant
a certain wave height absorbed power is limited through wave height (Hsig) and power period (Tpow). It was
the Pelamis inherent design characteristics. derived using an experimentally verified numerical model
assuming a two parameter Pierson-Moskowitz spectra as
input and taking account of design constraints and machine
efficiency.
 Power Prediction Smooth Power
Instantaneous Power Smoothed Power

Like the Power Curve of a wind turbine the Power Matrix Waves produce a widely variable power input as
can be used in conjunction with site specific resource data illustrated above for a single hinged joint. The
to predict the machine’s annual energy yield. The graphs Pelamis stores energy in hydraulic accumulators to
above show wave buoy data for a particular site (top) even out this unsteady input and provide a smooth
with the Pelamis’ predicted power output (bottom). Due flow of fluid to the variable displacement drive
to the Pelamis’ optimisation of power capture for small motor, and a steady power output from the
sea states, power output is flatter during the year compared machine’s generators.
to incident power levels.
 The Pelamis Wave Energy Converter is a semi-submerged, articulated
structure composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints.

The wave-induced motion of these joints is resisted

Top View
by hydraulic rams which pump high pressure fluid
through hydraulic motors via smoothing
accumulators.
Wave direction

The hydraulic motors drive electrical generators to

Side View
Wave direction
produce electricity. Power is fed to the seabed via
a single dynamic umbilical connected to a
transformer in the machine’s nose.

The complete machine is flexibly moored so as to swing head-

on to the incoming waves and derives its ‘reference’ from
spanning successive wave crests.

A 30MW offshore ‘wave-

farm’ would consist of 40
machines occupying a
square kilometre providing
sufficient power for over
20,000 homes.

PELAMIS P-750

Mooring Lines
Artist’s impression of a 30 MW wave farm.

www.pelamiswave.com
 The Pelamis is designed with a
rapid attachment/detachment
system which allows machines to
be towed back to sheltered water
for maintenance. The system is
designed to avoid the use of
specialist equipment, divers or
ROVs. All maintenance activities
are able to be carried out with the
machine afloat at a quayside
location.
PELAMIS

The Pelamis
installed on site
at the EMEC test
centre, Orkney.
 All internal
components are
modular and can be
installed/removed by

The Pelamis contains three Power standard 5T mobile

crane.
Conversion Modules, each rated at
250kW. Each Power Module contains a
complete electro-hydraulic power
generation system.

Power Conversion Main Tube

Module Segment

Sway
(vertical axis)
hinged joint

Hydraulic ram

High
pressure
accumulators

Motor/Generator
set

Manifold

Reservoir

Heave
(horizontal axis)
hinged joint
Internal view of a Pelamis Power Conversion Module.
 SPECIFICATIONS
STRUCTURE
Overall length 150m
Diameter 3.5m
Displacement 700 tonnes (including ballast)
Nose 5m long, drooped conical
Power take off 3 independent power conversion units

POWER CONVERSION UNIT

Power take off 4 x hydraulic rams (2 heave, 2 sway)
Ram speed 0 – 0.1m/s
Power smoothing/storage High pressure accumulators
Working pressure 100 – 350 Bar
Power conversion 2 x variable displacement motors
Generator 2 x 157kVA / 125kW
Speed 1500rpm

POWER
Overall power rating 750kW
Annual output 2.7GWh
Nominal wave power 55kW/m

Hydrostatic power limiting >6 – 7m significant wave height

Generator type Asynchronous
System voltage 3-phase, 415/690Vac 50/60Hz
Transformer 950kVA step up to typ. 11kV or 33kV

SITE MOORING
Depth >50m
Current <1 knot
Mooring system Compliant, slack moored

COMPARISONS

Equivalent gas turbine – fuel 600 tonnes/year

Equivalent gas turbine – CO2 emissions 2000 tonnes/year

PWP reserves the right to change specifications without notice. Patents: US6476511, AU754950, ZA20012008, EP1115976B;
other patents pending.

104 Commercial Street,

Edinburgh EH6 6NF, UK
www.pelamiswave.com
Tel: +44 (0)131 554 8444
Fax: +44 (0)131 554 8544
Email: [email protected]