Queen’s University launched largest hydro-electric wave energy device

Queen’s University Belfast has recently introduced the world’s biggest hydro-electric wave energy device. Known as Oyster, the machine has been formally launched in Orkney by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond.

Oyster is expected to power Scotland’s electricity grid, particularly residential homes in Orkney. The device is currently producing power by pumping highly pressurized water to its onshore hydro-electric turbine. A research stated that 20 Oysters could generate sufficient electricity to power 9,000 households.

The wave energy device was first developed by the Queen’s out of the funding from the Engineering and Physical Science Research. The grant, provided from 2002 to 2004, was allotted for UK energy organizations to develop surging wave energy devices.

Professor Trevor Whittaker from the university’s School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering said that Oyster’s concept came through a research undertaken on a wave tank facility at the Queen’s. The introduction of the modern hydro-electric device is a significant advancement in carbon-free sustainable energy generation.

Oyster is the third wave power project which the Queen’s has initiated in the past two decades. Speaking at the launch of Oyster, Salmond confirmed that a further grant of one million pounds is to be given to support the development of Oyster 2, planned to be installed within two years.

The marine energy industry is forecasted to generate up to 12,500 new jobs by 2020, contributing about £2.5 billion to the UK economy. Marine-based energy, such as the electricity generated by Oyster, has the potential to meet 20 per cent of the UK’s energy requirement.