Thanks to automation solutions from Rockwell Automation, an innovative energy project by Wave Star, aimed at developing a reliable commercial wave energy solution, is well on the way to effectively harnessing power from the sea. This project shows how a suite of control, visualisation and I/O components from a single source can work in unity to achieve truly cutting-edge technological advancements. The project has proven effective after the 1:10 scale prototype successfully produced reliable energy in the North Sea for a period of three years – enduring many storms and requiring minimal maintenance. At the technological heart of this success is Rockwell Automation, who has supplied the industry-recognised Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PAC, which has become the central controlling system of the unit. The automation system included the Allen-Bradley Flex I/O, connecting many of the data points to the PAC. This works in harmony with the FactoryTalk View on a central HMI (human machine interface), which provides process visibility, database values, and historical data capture. The inclusion of the Allen-Bradley Powermonitor in the solution allows information, such as load and power quality, to be collated and fed back to the PAC – to help achieve optimum power generation by giving operators a global view of the system. The prototype was developed as part a feasibility study for viably harnessing energy generated by moving waves for commercial power generation. The project has been running since 2003 and hopes to bring to the energy industry a new and renewable resource.
