Portuguese engineering company Kymaner has completed the laboratory testing of its bi-radial turbine built for the OPERA wave energy project.
The results of the testing, conducted at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) at the University of Lisboa, have shown the turbine is ready for energy production in real sea conditions, according to WavEC Offshore Renewables, part of the 12-member consortium of the OPERA project.
The turbine will be moved to Spain next week, for open sea validation at the Mutriku wave power plant, and then at the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (Bimep), both located in the Spanish Basque Country.
The bi-radial turbine-generator set aims to increase oscillating water column (OWC) annual mean efficiency by 50% and improve the reliability of the PTO in comparison with the most frequently used options.
Kymaner’s turbine was completely designed and manufactured in Portugal, with an investment value of around €1 million, and represents the culmination of patent development originating from IST, WavEC said.
The serial production of the turbine will depend on the success of the offshore tests and the interest of potential developers.
Project OPERA, short for Open Sea Wave Operating Experience to Reduce Energy Cost, aims to develop a technology that would reduce the cost of operating wave energy devices at sea for 50%, accelerate the development of international standards and reduce uncertainties and technological risks.