Abstract
The overarching objective of the Snapper project is to develop a new prototype wave energy capture and conversion system, appropriate for deployment in near and off‐shore environments (initially in water depths of up to 60m), capable of achieving a market competitive lifetime cost of energy. To achieve this, the following key scientific objective has been identified for investigation during the course of the current Snapper project:
S1: Create understanding of the chaotic/stochastic phenomena associated with the design in dynamic conditions. Accomplishment of the above scientific objective will provide the Snapper Consortium with the new knowledge necessary to accomplish the following technological objectives, which are also being considered during the course of the current project:
T1: To provide a low friction interface; a coefficient of friction (of not greater than 0.2µ) between the translator and the stator with a design lifetime of 20 years operation.
T2: To achieve a robustness of design according to six sigma criteria.
T3: To achieve environmental protection of the development against marine environments; up to a depth of 60m (6 BAR), wave loading (25 year storm event), salinity (3.5%), anticorrosion (5 year) and biofouling (5 year); in addition to ensuring that the development is intrinsically environmentally benign.
T4: To achieve a system that can be connected to an electrical distribution grid.