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= = = WAVE POWER! = =1) Describe the principle of operation of an oscillating water column (OWC) ocean-wave energy converter. = = =   · The first wave power station is the Islay wave power generator in Scotland · It is also known as the Limpet 500 (Land Installed Marine Powered Energy Transformer), an oscillating water column (OWC) · It is designed to produce 500 kW of electricity and includes two fundamental elements: one wave energy collector and one generator which turns the collected wave energy into electricity · Its apparatus includes a sloping reinforced shell that is attached into the rock surface at the shoreline · It also has an inlet, which allows seawater to enter or leave the central chamber freely · After the wave has entered the chamber, it increases water level within the space · The increased water level compresses the air floating in the upper portion of the chamber · The compressed air is then forced to exit through a “blowhole” and enters the wells turbine (see diagram above) · This turbine Is designed to spin/turn in one direction continuously regardless of the direction of incoming airflow · As the waves withdraw, the water level inside the chamber decrease · This decompression sucks the air back into the chamber, and the movement of the airflow keeps the turbine in motion · This constant flow of air back and forth creating by the oscillating water column allows the turbine to move and drive the generator (through kinetic energy from its movement) to convert the energy into electricity
 * ·** **In a sense, then, an OWC is a combination of hydropower and a windmill, with the "wind" consisting of air pressurized by the power of the wave.**
 * In a sense, then, an OWC is a combination of hydropower and a windmill, with the "wind" consisting of air pressurized by the power of the wave.**

To see a OWC in action, visit [] for framed animation of the device in action~ = =

= = =2) Recommend the best place in BC to build a wave generator (you may want to interview someone from BC Hydro or someone who works in the field). =  In 2001, BC Hydro carried out a study and determined that Ucluelet and Winter Harbour have the most wave energy. Of the two locations, Ucluelet is more promising.

__**PROS AND CONS:**__ - of building a wave generator in Ucluelet: - It is close to BC Hydro's grid - It is one of the few possible sites on all of B.C.'s coast - a company wants to use energy from waves to pump seawater through a conventional hydro generating unit on land - Energy could be used to provide for salmon plants in the area - The water could then be desalinated for drinking or other purposes, or returned to the ocean. - Since the equipment does not sit on the surface of the ocean, the project would have a small footprint both environmentally and visually - Community connections = Global Energy Horizons is working with the District of Ucluelet and the Ucluelet First Nation to determine if the project would be a good fit with the community - The constant waves during winter storm season could produce electricity during the time of year when demand is highest and traditionally when BC Hydro is importing to meet demand. -To make waves, we need WIND! Wind blows most consistently in the mid-latitudes (between 40 and 60 degrees north and south) as opposed to the tropical latitudes in which we have INSANE wind during the storm periods and nothing during the calm season. Ucluelet is on the right latitude. || - The wave generator itself creates build-up of sediment which is harmful to sensitive shoreline ecosystems (Bamfield located near Ucluelet) - The noise has been said to be problematic ||
 * PROS || CONS ||
 * - The wave potential is strong

**3) Describe the situation of wave power in BC. (not one of the learning outcomes)** __**(a) The initial project:**__
 * In June 2001 BC Hydro announced the start of the “Vancouver Island Green Energy Demonstration Program”, which was a program designed to experiment with renewable energies on Vancouver Island, one of which included WAVE ENERGY (YAY!)
 * BC Hydro started collaborating with foreign companies which were interested or experienced with wave power such as Ocean Power Delivery (UK) and Energetech (Australia) to build "trial projects" of 2MW (refers to capacity of the wave generator) on the shorelines of Vancouver Island.
 * Unfortunately, BC Hydro pulled out of these projects in June 2003, because of the success of their “Call for Private Green Power Proposals” (a competition between different renewable energy companies in BC to see which one could come up with the best project and receive funding from BC Hydro to realize the project)
 * BC Hydro estimates that if they had continued with the wave power project, wave power energy could have been sold on Vancouver Island for 4-9cent/kWhr by 2010. It’s a fairly good price if we compare it to the other most popular energy sources in BC, hydro (6.27cents/kWhr: BC Hydro) and natural gas ($14.325/1GJ or 5.12cents/kWhr: Terasen Gas)
 * Wavegen currently sells the energy made from the wave generator Limpet at 5.95 pence/kWhr (14 cents/kWhr)

__ **(b) Where we are now:** __
 * Following BC Hydro's withdrawal, the Ucluelet Economic Development Corporation (UEDC) continued to recieve support from the BC Liberals and the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines to start a wave energy project.
 * Even though Energetech never came forth with a plan, a few industries (University of Victoria's Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic); CanmetENERGY of Natural Resources Canada; Fred Olsen Renewables (an energy industry project developer); AXYS Technologies, Natural Power Consultants; Triton Consultants; BC Hydro, the Canadian Ocean Renewable Energy Group (OREG), Ucluth Development Corporation; the District of Ucluelet; and Black Rock Resort) collaborated to launch __**the West Coast Wave Collaboration Project**__ **(WCWCP)** in 2009.
 * In January 2010, they successfully deployed three wave monitoring buoys off the coast of Ucluelet!
 * The purpose of this project is to collaborate with the community and research centers to fully understand the potential that the BC Coasts have with wave power.

(1) "BC Hydro - Electricity Rates." //bchydro.com//. BC Hydro, 2010. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. . (2) Drews, Keven. "Locals Dream Of Closed-Containment Salmon Farm ." //Westcoaster.ca//. N.p., 11 May 2009. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. . (3) "Energie der Ozeane (Ocean energy)." //Erneuerbare Energie//. Unicef, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2010. . (4) "How it works: Wave power station." //BBC NEWS//. BBC, 20 Dec. 2000. Web. 24 Apr. 2010. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sci/tech/1032148.stm>. BBC NEWS, November 2000 (5) Martin, Bo. "Wave Power." //BC Sustainable Energy Association//. N.p., 2005. Web. 23 Apr. 2010. <http://www.bcsea.org/learn/get-the-facts/renewable-energy-technologies/wave-power>. (6) Montara Energy Ventures. //Montara Ventures//. N.p., 7 Jan. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2010. []. (7) Power Supply Engineering. "Green & Alternative Energy Division: Executive Report on the Green Energy Study for British Colombia Phase 1: Vancouver Island." //BC Hydro//. BC Hydro, July 2001. Web. 23 Apr.2010. Path: []; Planning & Regulatory; Energy Technologies; Green Energy Research; Green Energy Study for British Colombia Phase 1: Vancouver Island Summary Report. (8) St. Germain, L., P. Wild, and A. Rowe. "Wave Power Integration with a Renewable Hydrogen Energy System."//Institute for Integrated Energy Systems//. Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, 16 June 2005. Web. 23 Apr. 2010. <http://www.iesvic.uvic.ca/publications/library/IGEC_StGermain.pdf>. (9) Schlager, Neil, and Jayne Weisblatt, eds. // Alternative Energy //. Vol. 3. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2006. 3 vols. Print. (10) "Terasen Gas rates (Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast)." //terasengas.com//. Terasen Gas, 2010. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.terasengas.com/Homes/Rates/VancouverIslandSunshineCoast.htm>. (11) "Ucluelet considered one of few sites for wave energy in province." //Ocean Energy Council//. N.p., 17 May 2008. Web. 26 Apr. 2010. <http://www.oceanenergycouncil.com/index.php/Wave-Energy-News/Ucluelet-considered-one-of-few-sites-for-wave-energy-in-province.html>. (12) "Wave energy generation project invested again! ." //westcoastaquatic.ca//. West Coast Vancouver Island Aquatic Board, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2010.<http://www.westcoastaquatic.ca/article_wave_energy1205.htm>. "Vancouver Island, British Columbia." Salmoneye.net. Salmon Eye Charters, 2001. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.salmoneye.net/fishing-charters-ucluelet-bc/vancouver-island/>. (13) "Wave energy potential in Ucluelet." //hydro-international.com//. Hydro international, 2010. Web. 27 Apr. 2010. <http://www.hydro-international.com/news/id3627-Wave_Energy_Potential_in_Ucluelet.html>. __**More Interesting Information:**__
 * __ SOURCES __**** : **

A news magazines story that describes the situation of wave energy in BC, rest of Canada, and Europe. Very well-researched and easy to understand. High recommended! @http://www.watershedsentinel.ca/documents/FeaturedArts/HereBeDragons_WatershedSentinel_JuneJuly2008.pdf

Very useful overview and map from BC government [|Ocean Energy Sector in British Colombia]

An organization that specializes in wave and tidal power: []