Trident Energy's founder Hugh-Peter Kelly invented the tubular linear motor/generator for use in the automation industry.

There are now over 32,000 motors of this type in use worldwide and a further 15,000 actuators.

While experimenting with an early version of the linear generator, Kelly realised that it could be an ideal solution for capturing sea wave power in that it removed the need for mechanical conversion mechanisms and hydraulics. An initial experiment using a pre-prototype jig was carried out in the Atlantic off the north coast of Devon and was immediately successful.

The principle is simple, floats rising and falling with the waves drive generators to produce electrical power. In the event of a storm, the linear generators act as linear motors to extract the floats from the sea, protecting the entire energy conversion mechanism.

Individual units can be made using floats as small as a domestic fridge or up to the size of a sea container and could eventually be used singly or en masse in coastal areas around the world to help produce carbon free energy.

Because of their modular design, the converters can be mass produced and are easy to deploy at any favourable sea location.

Performance of the Trident Converter at NaREC surpassed expectations and proved the viability of the technology for use at sea. The tests show that a wave farm occupying just one fifth of a square kilometre would generate 100MW in favourable wave conditions, enough to power 30,000 homes. At an estimated capital cost of £160 to £180m, a DECM on this scale enjoys one of the best performance cost ratios of any known design.

Trident Energy has been developing DECM technology financed by a government grant, the Carbon Trust and private equity investment. Further investment is now being sought to take the technology forward to commercialisation.

A first platform pilot wave farm is now being designed for deployment off Harwich early next year. When this 30kW pilot has proven the technology, it is anticipated that investment will come forward for the first 1MW sub-section of a full scale wave farm, which it is anticipated will be operational by early 2010.

MJInformation No: 21951