A wave energy generator, modelled on wave data provided by EMEC, has won the UK round of James Dyson’s engineering award.

The 40th scale prototype, developed by engineering graduate Sam Etherington, showed promising results following testing at Lancaster University’s wave tank. Renewable Wave Power (RWP) is a semi-submersible multi axis wave energy converter, designed to absorb forces from the peaks and troughs of the North Atlantic waves in any given direction.

Wave data recorded from one of EMEC’s data buoys, deployed at the Billia Croo full scale wave test site, was scaled and propagated down the wave tank to provide scaled wave heights and wave lengths in which to test the structure. Following further testing, Sam is aiming to develop a larger scale device which he’d like to test in the real sea conditions of EMEC’s scale test site.

Interestingly, Sam’s inspiration for the project came following diving trips to Orkney where he saw the unprecedented level of wave and tidal energy development happening here at EMEC.