TWEFDA has likely created the initial and most effective energy tool so far, designed to offer Generation or Storage instantly. It combines four machines into a single hardware unit.

4 machines in one single piece of hardware

Considering the potential benefits, it might be necessary to involve a Classification Society in this process. I have faith in the collective wisdom of the crowd. Are you interested in contributing to the evaluation of TWEFDA’s progress?

Context

When a tool is labeled as hybrid, it means that it can carry out a particular task in two different ways. For instance, a hybrid vehicle has the capability to propel itself by utilising either an internal combustion engine or an electric motor.

How would you describe a device that combines two different functions, each of them in a hybrid manner? Furthermore, what if these functions also complement each other?

Section of an ESWave

Hybrid in Storage Mode Any questions? Call Us

When in storage mode, the Reciprocating Assembly of the ESWave is lifted by absorbing energy from the TWEFDA Hub it is connected to, also known as Offshore Hybrid Assets according to Matt Hinde, who serves as the Head of

European Affairs for National Grid.

Acting as a pumped hydro application (Machine nº 1)

During storage mode, the ESWaves will elevate to store gravitational energy, establishing a pumped hydro system in the ocean.

In order to accomplish this, the TWEFDA Hub will apply pressure to the ESWave through a hydraulic umbilical connection. The necessary pressure can be generated using energy from the grid, from other generators offshore or by simply diverting hydraulic energy from another ESWave operating in generation mode.

This setup can adjust the power it absorbs and delivers, offering high flexibility to the Grid while demonstrating environmentally friendly behavior.

The ESWave has a static compensation tank and a dynamic compensation tank for other reasons, but these tanks can be filled before and after the rising process happen.

In addition, six ESWaves are typically installed surrounding the TWEFDA Hub. Each of them can be lifted separatelly and with or without water in the two tanks.

There is significant flexibility provided by this setup. If a single pump in the TWEFDA Hub raises all 6 ESWave devices at once, it will take anywhere between 3 and a half to 15 and a half hours to complete the lifting process, depending on whether both tanks are full of water initially.

Conversely, when 6 pumps in the TWEFDA Hub are used to lift a single ESWave device, the process will require anywhere from 6 to 26 minutes to finish, depending on whether both tanks are filled with water initially.

To discharge the system, there are 3 turbines and 6 ESWaves available, allowing any combination of ESWaves to release their energy through any number of turbines. The turbines can operate closer to optimum performance but are not required to operate at maximum capacity. Additionally, the setup can take into account the tide’s progression to align the discharge process with the tide for optimal output.

All these settings provide a high flexibility together with a high performance.

Harnessing the tidal range (Machine nº 2)

The gravitational energy depends on the height to the surface of the ocean but this height is dynamic.

Under optimal conditions, the ESWave will start to ascend by harnessing pressure from the TWEFDA Hub when the tide is up, and will then unleash its energy as the tide recedes until the tide is down.

If we were located in one of the 50 places with tidal ranges exceeding 7 meters, like the Kimberley coast in Australia with tides over 11 meters, the Severn Estuary in the United Kingdom (15 meters / 50 feet), or the Bay of Fundy in Canada where the average tidal range is approximately 16.3 meters (53 feet), we could utilize the tidal range to achieve a lifting height of around 15 meters above sea level.

Our conclusion is that implementing a pumped hydro system in the middle of the ocean and utilizing the tidal range are two methods to attain the storage mode, indicating that the ESWave operates in a hybrid storage mode.

Hybrid in Generation Mode

When in generation mode, the ESWave can function as a hybrid device by serving as a point absorber and also by harnessing weight-changing energy. These dual methods of generating power classify the ESWave as a hybrid device in Generation Mode. Any questions? Call Us Acting as a Point Absorber (Machine nº 3)

When operating in generation mode, the ESWave utilises the movement between the stable seabed and the fluctuating sea surface to capture energy. This characteristic positions the ESWave as a point absorber within the

wider classification category of Wave Energy Converters.

Collecting the weight changing energy (Machine nº 4)

Focussed in that functionality of generation, the ESWave can also dynamically change its weight, harnessing what TWEFDA has qualified as the Weight Changing Energy (#weightchangingenergy).

“In May 2022 a preliminary Hydrodynamic study conducted by the reputed consultancy TADEK envisaged an outstanding improve in performance as a result of this approach.

At present, the theory is supported by five acknowledged professionals in the wave industry, positioning the technology at a peer-reviewed desktop proof of concept level.

Simply put, the technology involves utilising wave power to raise a buoyant body connected to an open tank that remains partially submerged in the ocean. This system is referred to as the Reciprocating Assembly.

When the Reciprocating Assembly reaches its highest point, the Dynamic Compensation Tank, which is a component of the Reciprocating Assembly tank, closes tightly, trapping the water within and causing it to move downward, thus changing the dynamics of the assembly.

Essentially, a force exerted in a direction is a form of energy that arises from altering the system. As the system transitions from upward to downward motion, it undergoes changes, necessitating the application of the law of conservation of energy independently for each phase.

If there is more than one application in the same machine, the tool belongs to the flexibility market as well.

According to the Carbon Trust , flexibility is what we need to achieve the 2050 goals in a cost-effective way. As mentioned by Andrew Lever in the video report , investing in flexibility is a ‘no regrets’ decision worth £16.7B/year across all the scenarios analysed for 2050, just in the UK.

Whether a machine operates in generation mode, storage mode, or a hybrid mode, it effectively caters to two distinct markets, offering flexibility across various applications. Therefore, the adaptable machine could be aimed at this market as well.

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