Thanks to leading solutions from Rockwell Automation, an innovative energy project by Wave Star, aimed at developing a reliable commercial wave energy solution, is well on the way to harnessing power from the sea effectively. This project shows how a suite of control, visualisation and I/O components can work in unity to achieve cutting-edge technological advancement.
The Wave Star patent has proven effective after the 1:10 scale prototype reliably produced energy in the North Sea for a period of three years enduring many storms and requiring minimal maintenance. At the technology heart is Rockwell Automation, who supplied the Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PAC, the central control element of the Wave Star system.
The total solution from Rockwell Automation included the Allen-Bradley Flex I/O connecting the data points to the PAC. This works in harmony with the FactoryTalk View on a central HMI providing process visibility, database values and historical data capture. The inclusion of the Allen-Bradley Powermonitor in the solution allows information, such as load and power quality, to be collated and fed back to the PAC to achieve optimum power generation by giving operators a global view of the system.
Laurent Marquis, technical director at Wave Star says, “I have always appreciated the work and effort that the Rockwell Automation engineers have put into this project. The support has been superb and I have always felt that the engineers have been very engaged. It is nice to know that we are working with qualified people using products that are both easy to understand and to manage.”
The Wave Star prototype was developed as part of a feasibility study for harnessing the energy in moving waves for commercial power generation. The project hopes to bring a new and renewable resource to the energy industry.
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