The Manchester Bobber's inventive features utilise the rise and fall (or 'bobbing') of the water surface. This movement transmits energy, which is then extracted by the mechanics to drive a generator and produce electricity.
The vision is to have a series of Bobbers working together to generate electricity. One concept which is currently being explored is the use of decommissioned offshore rigs as platforms for the devices.
Professor Peter Stansby, co-inventor of the Manchester Bobber and Professor of Hydrodynamics at The University of Manchester, said: "Offshore wave energy represents a substantial concentrated 'green' energy source for an island state like the UK.
"Energy from the sea may be extracted in many ways and harnessing the energy from the bobbing motion of the sea is not a new idea. It is the hydrodynamics of the float employed by the Manchester Bobber that provides the vital connection to generating electricity".
The Bobber's unique features include:
The vulnerable mechanical and electrical components are housed in a protected environment well above sea level, which makes for ease of accessibility.
All mechanical and electrical components are readily available, resulting in high reliability compared to other devices, with a large number of more sophisticated components.
The Manchester Bobber will respond to waves from any direction without requiring adjustment.
The ability to maintain and repair specific 'bobber' generators (independent of others in a linked group) means that generation supply to the network can continue uninterrupted.
The initial concept for the Manchester Bobber was conceived in January 2004 via a 12 month Carbon Trust award. The design, development and testing of the device has been carried out at the University of Manchester led by Professor Peter Stansby and Dr Alan Williamson.
Phase One of the project (testing of 1/100th scale working model) was successfully completed in January 2005. Phase Two, which is commencing now, involves a 1/10th scale device that has been constructed and will be tested at NaREC (the New and Renewable Energy Centre) over a two week period. Mowlem plc and Royal Haskoning are also developing and costing conceptual designs for a full scale platform. Phase Three will involve a full scale prototype being constructed and tested in parallel with detailed costings and engineering design for the optimum full scale concept from Phase 2.
The project team see the Manchester Bobber as a key international development at the forefront of the renewable energy sector.
Dr Frank Allison, Assistant Project Manager from University of Manchester Intellectual Property Ltd (UMIP) said: "We are really excited about the potential of this project and can't wait to get the prototype Manchester Bobber constructed and tested over the next few weeks, it will also be an ideal opportunity for people from the industry to come and witness this principal milestone and important achievement."
Notes to Editors:
- Professor Peter Stansby is Professor of Hydrodynamics within the School of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, which is part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at The University of Manchester.
- Pictures of the 1/100th scale device are available. Pictures of the 1/10th scale device will be available on September 19th.
- The University of Manchester Intellectual Property Limited (UMIP) is The University's technology transfer and intellectual property commercialisation company. It was formed by the merger of two very successful companies, UMIST Ventures and Manchester Innovation. Taken together these two companies have set-up and managed some 100 technology licences and over 60 spin-off companies, including several which have gone on to stock market listings. For information, please visit www.umip.com
- Mowlem plc is a leading international provider of construction and support services, with a £2 billion annual turnover and over 25,000 employees worldwide operating through 8 principal business units: Mowlem Building, Mowlem Asset Services, Mowlem Infrastructure, Mowlem Engineering, Mowlem International, Mowlem Project, Mowlem Managed Services, Mowlem Environmental Sciences Group.
Established in 1822, Mowlem has evolved from being purely a construction contractor to become a market leading construction and support services group, able to deliver a unique range of capabilities to public and private sector customers across a comprehensive range of market sectors. For further information, please visit www.mowlem.com