Future Technologies

Ocean Treader - Overview

Ocean Treader is simple in concept, efficient in operation and robustly designed to withstand the aggressive environment of the North Atlantic Ocean. It uniquely harnesses the different responses of horizontally and vertically floating bodies to passing waves and is protected by International Patent applications.

The device is beyond proof of concept and will be further developed and commercialised in the future.

How it Works

Ocean Treader comprises a Sponson at the front, a Spar Buoy in the centre and a second Sponson at the aft end. As the wave passes along the device first the forward Sponson lifts and falls, then the Spar Buoy lifts and falls slightly less and finally the aft Sponson lifts and falls. The relative motion between these three floating bodies is harvested by hydraulic cylinders mounted between the tops of the arms and the Spar Buoy. The cylinders pressurise hydraulic fluid which, after smoothing by accumulators, spins hydraulic motors and then electric generators. The electricity is exported via an export cable piggy-backed to the anchor cable. Ocean Treader is directional and has been proven to passively weather-vane to face the wave train, and it also has active onboard adjustment to allow for offset due to the effects of current.

Wave Farm

It is anticipated that these machines will be deployed in offshore wave farms. Because of the low lying aspect of Ocean Treader and because they will typically be one to two miles offshore, visual intrusion from the shoreline will be insignificant, a major benefit.

Timescale for Development

Ocean Treader is currently not under development but we plan to commercialise this in the future.