Location Islay, Scotland Commission date 2000 (2000) Opened 2000 | Status Operational Nameplate capacity 0.25 MW | |
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Type Oscillating Water Column Similar Methil power station, Galloway hydro‑electric power sc, Hunterston A nuclear power sta, Glendoe Hydro Scheme, Wave Dragon | ||
Physics 184 final project islay limpet wave power
Islay LIMPET is the world's first commercial wave power device connected to the United Kingdom's National Grid.
Contents
- Physics 184 final project islay limpet wave power
- Technology
- Further development based on the Technology
- References
Following the construction of a 75 kW prototype in 1991, a 500 kW unit was built in 2000, and is located at Claddach Farm on the Rhinns of Islay on the Scottish island of Islay. The capacity was later downgraded to 250 kW. Islay LIMPET (Land Installed Marine Power Energy Transmitter) was developed by Wavegen in cooperation with Queen's University Belfast.
Technology
Islay LIMPET is a shoreline device uses an Oscillating Water Column to drive air in and out of a pressure chamber through a Wells turbine. The chamber of the LIMPET is an inclined concrete tube with its opening below the water level. As external wave action causes the water level in the chamber to oscillate, the variation in water level alternately compresses and decompresses the trapped air above, causing air to flow backwards and forwards through a pair of contra-rotating turbines. A report covering the long term running of the turbine was produced in 2002.
Further development based on the Technology
Based on this design, a 16 turbine plant was built in the Bay of Biscay in Spain, the Mutriku Breakwater Wave Plant, which was fully operational and handed over to the company in 2011.