Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 9.13
Principle of wave power plants. Left: Float ball system. Right: Chamber system.
9.3.6 Ocean Current Power Plants
Ocean current power plants have a structure similar to wind power plants, except
that the rotors rotate below the water surface. A built-in hub mechanism raises the
rotor to the water surface for maintenance. The fi rst prototype was successfully
installed in 2003 off the North Devon coast in England (Bard
et al.
, 2004 )
(Figure 9.14 ).
Figure 9.14
Left: Prototype system in Project Seafl ow off the west coast of England.
Photo: ISET.
Right: Maintenance ship in a planned ocean current power plant park.
Graphics: MCT.
