< IMG SRC = "/Uploads/Blogs/3D/EA/IB-FRPPR2RP1_A2A6BBB1C.jpg" Alt = "In the US, innovative wave energy production devices"/> ~ ~ < P > The National Laboratory of Renewable Energy (NREL) has created a comprehensive system of testing OB & Rsquo; Earts that helps the developers of marine energy effectively check their prototypes before deploying in the open ocean.
The potential and problems of marine energy< P > The United States have huge sea energy resources that & nbsp; < strng > could provide about 60% of the country's needs for electricity . This type of energy is extracted from ocean waves, currents and tides. Although the full use of this potential is impossible, even partial use can help significantly.
< p >Developing technologies for the use of marine energy faces unique difficulties. According to Ben McGilton, the electrical engineer with NREL: & nbsp; < Em > & laquo; it can be argued that in some sense it is really easier. In space, conditions such as gravity, radiation and vacuum are relatively predictable, whereas in the ocean constantly changing waves, currents and aggressive salt water can create unpredictable problems & raquo; 60 ~/P > > 62 > 62 > 62 < H2 > Testing Ob & Rsquo; Ects nrel
< P > to overcome the abyss between theoretical developments and the practical implementation of NREL has created a number of specialized installations. In 2021, the first wave tank was installed in the ecological laboratory of marine waves (Swel).
< p >Next year with & Rsquo; there was a platform of large -amplitude movements (Lamp), which can reproduce significant ocean fluctuations without the use of water. The laboratory is also equipped with dynamometers for testing electrical components and 3D printers for rapid manufacture of new parts.< p > Scott Jenn, a naval energy researcher in NREL, describes the transition from computer; Rsquo; RSQUO; It adds: & nbsp; < Em > & laquo; in maritime power is well known the phrase that the wave that happens once every 100 years, with & Rsquo; deployment & raquo; .
< h2 > Practical tests and results
< P > Brittani Laidon, a graduate student from Washington University, together with her team conducted a test of a prototype of wave energy generator in Swel tank. & Amp; nbsp; < strong > Time .
< p >Their device is designed to produce electricity by oscillation on waves, like sea grass. With the support of Teamer, Laidon was able to check the operation of its device in a wide range of potential wave conditions.
< P > The value of the controlled environment is confirmed by the experience of the Hero WEC team. In 2022, they launched their prototype off the coast of North Carolina, but faced the problem of lack of waves for testing. Instead in laboratory conditions they were able to carry out more than 100 different tests per month.
< H2 > Prospects for Marine Energy Development < P > OB & Rsquo; NREL aquatic energy proposes a full range of services & ldquo; from soup to nuts & rdquo; as often calls their FAO Rebecce, a manager for NREL Validation. Here you can model and make a prototype, test individual components or the entire device.
< p > According to Ben McGilton:
& laquo; we can test the goals of the system and see how they will interact with the micro -network, a small community or even the energy system & ndash; And not just with imitation, but with real voltage and currents & raquo;. < P > Professor Brian Polagi notes that the sector of marine energy has advanced forward in the last decade: & nbsp; < em > & laquo; it has been an exciting decade. And I think the next will be as exciting & raquo; .