Oceanlinx
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oceanlinx is a Wave Energy Converter device , that is a device which uses wave energy and converts it into electrical energy operating on the oscillating water column principle. The Oceanlinx was developed in Australia. The technology has developed greatly in the past ten years thanks to the large amount of international funds it has received. It uses advanced oscillating column technology to extract the energy from the waves. This device uses Renewable Energy.
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[edit] History
- 1997 - Oceanlinx is founded by Dr. Tom Denniss (As Energetech Australia Pty limited)
- 1999] - Oceanlinx receives a A$750,000 Federal Government Grant to develop the Port Kembla project
- 2001 November - Energetech closes a round of venture capital funding with the Connecticut Clean Energy fund in the USA, enabling the establishment of a US subsidiary, Energetech America
- 2002 - Three European investment groups specializing in innovative energy technology invest US$3.75 million,
and German based RWE Dynamics invests US$750,000
- 2003 March - The first full-scale Denniss-Auld turbine is successfully constructed and tested
- 2003 November - Energetech America receives grant funding of US$750,000 from two state renewable funds
for the development and construction of a wave energy project in Rhode Island, USA
- 2004 May - Energetech is awarded a A$1.21 million research & development grant by the Australian Federal
Government, facilitating its Wave Energy Optimisation program
- 2004 December - Tom Engelsman joins Energetech as Chief Executive Officer
- 2005 March - Energetech launches its Industry Advisory Service division
- 2005 April - The Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies invests A$500,000
- 2005 October - Energetech’s patented Denniss-Auld Turbine generates power and, via the desalination plant,
fresh water at the test location in Port Kembla
- 2006 December - Energetech completes a permanent installation of its Port Kembla Wave Energy Plant
- 2007 February - £6.0 million fundraising with institutional investors
- 2007 April - The company changes its name to Oceanlinx
[edit] Oceanlinx Technology
The Oceanlinx uses the Denniss-Auld turbine, a bi-directional airflow turbine; this turbine was developed specifically for the Oceanlinx. The electrical generation or the desalination parts are 'of-the-shelf' add-ons. The Denniss-Auld Turbine is the only moving part and is above water. This is an advantage, the fewer moving parts the better and it means that the turbine is in less contact with the corrosive sea water.
[edit] Current Commercial Projects
- Oceanlinx is currently in late-stage negotiations with a large utility company for ten units to be located on the Oregon coast with a peak capacity of 15 MW. This has the potential to supply the power needs of about 15,000 homes in the local area and will be the largest ever firm contract for a wave energy power company
- Rhode Island – the State Government is committed to funding a pilot plant, to be expanded to at least 10MW
- South Africa – contract for ten units over the next three years
- Mexico – CFE (the world’s largest electric utility) is funding a major feasibility study for two new wave plants utilising Oceanlinx technology
- United Kingdom Wave hub – advanced negotiations for a 5 MW plant
- King Island – feasibility study funding committed from local and state governments
- Hawaii – Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiations about to commence for a project on Maui
[edit] External links
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