COMPUTER MODEL OF OCEAN POWER

ANSYS Harnessing the Power of Ocean Waves
September 2, 2009 (Business Wire via Reuters)

"ANSYS, Inc., a global innovator of simulation software and technologies designed to optimize product development processes…is helping transform the relentless forces of waves into electricity. Green Ocean Energy Ltd, a U.K.-based renewable energy company, is using technology from ANSYS to develop devices that will reliably generate renewable power from the motion of the seas [without needing to spend months building a $3 million dollar prototype]…Green Ocean Energy identified the advanced engineering simulation tools from ANSYS as a critical element in getting the product to market in a cost-effective and timely manner."

A wave farm of Green Ocean Energy's Ocean Treaders (artist's rendering), developed with computer modeling by ANSYS. (click to enlarge)

"…Green Ocean Energy is developing two innovative devices that will harness the waters of the north Atlantic: the Ocean Treader and Wave Treader. They are designed to bob on the surface of the ocean while waves cause attached floating arms to move up and down to power on-board generators. Electricity is sent back to shore via underwater cables. Each machine is designed to produce 500 KW of electricity - enough to power 125 homes - so a farm of 30 such devices would have a rating of 15 MW."

Green Ocean Energy's Wave Treader, developed with computer modeling by ANSYS. (click to enlarge)

"Hydrodynamic and structural [virtual prototyping] tools from ANSYS are being applied to address one of the primary challenges: reaching a balance between structural strength and weight restrictions. With an expected 25-year design life, the machines must withstand rough waters and gale-force winds; conversely, structural members must be lightweight to keep production costs within budget and to allow for sufficient floatation…

"Though the idea of wave-powered energy has captured the imagination for centuries, this renewable energy source has not been economically feasible till recently…[Green Ocean Energy has leverage solutions from ANSYS to reach their business objectives]…"