Latest News

Having completed construction of the major components of our two 1:40 scale Tidal Flow system ‘Prototypes’ it was decided to proceed to testing of the second version only as we believed this to be the more advanced hydrodynamically and would provide us with the best results. Initial ‘proof of Concept’ testing took place in June and confirmed our Design Intent had been met and gave a clear indication of  the development path to the next stage 1:10 scale ‘Demonstration’ prototype.

Further tests were carried out in November on some of the components of the overall system to assist in refining the hydrodynamic form which will be carried forward for future R&D and Rapid Prototyping work with Lancaster University Renewable Energy Group who have expressed a keen interest in being involved in the development of the idea.

Other News

Applications have now been submitted to secure additional funding and support from various local and National Institutions that will enable WASP to proceed to the next phase of development which we believe would benefit from a level of R&D work and Rapid Prototyping. This will help to establish representative power outputs, optimum Generator selection and a level of recognised Academic support to ensure that the 1:10 scale Demonstration prototype will enable WASP to quickly prove the system and its potential.

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

Following assessment of the Innovation Voucher Report we are now modifying the layout and orientation of our first System. Our original intention was to convert the Tidal Range into a Wind Power force. Whilst this was shown to be possible when testing our small scale prototype the power output of a full size system, indicated by the ‘Innovation Voucher’ Report calculations, suggested that the required Investment could not be justified. The system will now be tested over the coming months, following modifications, to determine the output when driving a Water Turbine.

Although installation and maintenance cost will be higher the increase in output may justify this additional cost and show a better return on Investment.

Other News

Major components of our 1:40 scale Tidal Flow system ‘Prototypes’ have now been completed and will be asssembled during March and April with a view to carrying out initial ‘proof of concept’ testing. Two prototypes for this system are being developed and whilst the basic design is maintained variations in the overall configurations will give us the opportunity to compare the respective outputs that these small variations might make and help determine the best characteristics to adopt in order to progress to larger scale Prototypes.

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

With recorded wind at a 180 year low, and two Major European Utilities Companies involved in the Offshore Wind sector seeking Construction Debt finance from the Banks, now could be the ideal opportunity for Wave and Tidal Power Companies to gain a foothold in the race for a more economical and sustainable Renewable Energy Supply.

In addition a recent Survey indicated that the average yield from Wind Generation could be as low as 20% – 30%, with one instance below 5%, suggesting that a more reliable and predictable Tidal System could show a much higher efficiency rating.

A number of existing Tidal and Wave Power Systems are approaching the stage where prototypes have given sufficient confidence to Designers, Manufacturers and Investors to progress to full scale Systems being built and deployed in identified operating locations around the UK.

Other News

Given the above it will be no surprise that we are pressing on with our own Systems and whilst we await Academic Reports and conclusions for our first System, in order to seek further funding and move the Project to the next stage, work on our second System prototype is progressing to plan and within Budget.

Completion of this prototype will enable early testing and ‘Proof of Concept’ confirmation. For sure there will need to to be some degree of fine tuning but this is to be expected with what is, in principle, an extremely simple idea but one which entails a greater level of design and detail.

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

Innovation Voucher Progress
Innovation Voucher and Environmental studies for our Renewable Energy idea are progressing well with reports near to ‘draft’ status. Hopefully these can be reviewed over the next month in order to put the final reports together. This will allow us to put together a Business Plan and Proposal that will enable WASP to move the project forward.

Other News
Work is now progressing on a 1:40 scale Prototype of our second ‘Sustainable Renewable Energy’ device. Again the emphasis is on simplicity of Design, Manufacture and Maintenance for this sea based system. Initial installation will be more complex than our first idea but once installed there will be few moving parts, all using existing technology, and the system will have a nominal Environmental ‘footprint’.
Prototype manufacture is being carried out by Alan Newton Yachts who also completed our preliminary ‘Proof of Concept’ prototypes for the first system.

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

The Academic support for our Sustainable Renewable Energy idea was scheduled to start at the beginning of May and will be spread over several months. As the report and details are developed we will gradually be able to prepare a Presentation that will add significant value to our preliminary ‘Proof of Concept’ prototype. In addition an indication of likely Power output will enable us to identify the Market sector that our idea will best service. Turbine selection will be another key area that will be considered.

In parallel with the Innovation Voucher work is the Environmental study that will help to identify suitable locations for the installation of our system and the likely impact it will have. We do believe however that in certain areas the installation of our system could have a positive rather than a negative effect on the Environment and it will be interesting to see the reports findings. Certainly the available Academic knowledge and experience in the North West of England is substantial and we are fortunate to be in a position to call on this facility.

Other News

Our second ‘Sustainable Renewable Energy from the Sea’ idea is currently on the drawing board and our intention with this idea is to produce a ‘Proof of Concept’ prototype before applying for a Patent. Experience from our current idea suggests that building a prototype first will highlight possible areas that will benefit the content of the Patent application.

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

Innovation Voucher Progress

The award of the Innovation Voucher has provided WASP(CUMBRIA)LIMITED with an enviable opportunity to tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience that might otherwise have been out of reach and certainly from a funding point of view something

that at this stage in the development would not have been possible. The benefit to us is that all the assistance and Academic knowledge is on our doorstep and with vast experience of Renewable Energy from Tidal and Wave Power Technology as well as Environmental studies which we believe will support our Design.

Other News

The recent announcement of the major development in the North East of England for the Manufacture of the Worlds largest Turbine Blades was welcome news for the area and perhaps surprising following the decision to close a Turbine Blade manufacturing facility on the Isle of Wight in July 2009. Describing the closure of the factory on the Isle of Wight as an “absolutely necessary commercial decision”, Vestas repeated its complaint about the slow pace of growth in the onshore wind turbine market in the UK. Hopefully the knowledge and experience gained by the workforce on the Isle of Wight can be tapped into and perhaps at least some of the redundant workforce could be taken on to assist the new Company.

www.umic.co.uk

www.techvs.co.uk

www.nwda.co.uk

www.c-techinnovation.co.uk

www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

NEWS – WASP(CUMBRIA)LIMITED

February 2010.1

Latest News

Innovation Voucher Success

WASP(CUMBRIA)LIMITED application in the December 2009 round of  Innovation Vouchers was successful.

Our requirement was for Academic assistance and Expertise in the preparation of a Presentation for our Sustainable Renewable Energy Invention. This will add a high level of credability and Subject Matter Expertise to accompany the positive results we have now had in trials of our 1/40 th scale prototypes.

Umic (University of Manchester Incubation Centre) have been selected as our Knowledge provider. Having already been involved in a number of Renewable Energy projects, such as the Manchester Bobber, UMIC are an ideal partner and we had no hesitation in accepting their Expression of Interest in our application.

The selection of UMIC and from our unsuccessful Innovation Voucher application in October 2009 we have benefitted from a number of other areas of support. Through UMIC an introduction to Phil Tapsell of TechVenture Solutions and through the NWDA assistance from C-Tech Innovatuion, Lancaster University and Envirolink North West who are all providing valuable building blocks as we develop WASP(CUMBRIA)LIMITED and our ideas.

Other News

The Walney Wind Farm in Morecambe Bay is now gathering pace as the first stages of installation are progressing. Walney 1 and 2 installations will be both up and running by late 2011 subject to suitable weather conditions and completion of the many stages in the build up of a such a complex sytem in a difficult environment. One thing is certain the outlook from the West coast of Walney will be changed and not for the best. It will be interesting to see if the noise generated from this large Wind Farm becomes an issue bearing in mind that the much smaller Barrow Wind Farm does generate a level of noise even though it is down wind from the prevailing winds wheras the Walney Wind farm  is upwind from Walney.

www.umic.co.uk

www.techvs.co.uk

www.nwda.co.uk

www.c-techinnovation.co.uk

www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

This is the Sustainable Renewable Energy Invention by Alan Newton C.Eng, M.R.I.N.A. that WASP(Cumbria)Limited are developing.

A 1/40th scale prototype is now under construction with a view to initial ‘Proof of Concept’ Trials taking place within the next two to three weeks. Following the Trials additional development work will be undertaken and a larger scale ‘Demonstration’ model will be built.

We believe this innovative development will offer a valuable addition to existing and new Renewable Energy Systems that have and are being developed to meet the requirements set not only by the UK Government but other Governments around the World. The Environmental impact of this system will, we believe, be minimal not only in Operation but in Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance and could in some areas have an Environmental benefit.

Other News

Reports suggest that urgent policy changes by the Government are needed to encourage the £200bn development of wind farms, nuclear power and other forms of renewable energy to reduce costs and carbon emissions.
It has also been reported that offshore wind generation could be handicapped by weaknesses in the turbine market. The market for sub-sea cables is said to be undeveloped while only two of the 12 vessels needed to instal wind turbines by 2020 are operational.

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.

Liverpool University Engineers claim that Barrages in the North West area alone could supply up to 5% of the UK electricity requirement. Morecambe Bay, the Solway Firth, Liverpool Bay and Dee Estuary could supply up to half of the regions electricity if given approval. There will of course need to be serious debate, consultation and studies resolved regarding the building of barrages across estuaries. Whilst there could be additional benefits in having barrages, in addition to the power generated, there would be an equal number of disadvantages with regard to the changing landscape, mud flats marine and bird life which would all have to be considered before approval.

The Ocean Flow Energy Ltd ‘Evopod’ system benefited from the 2009 Shell Springboard Award with a £20,000 prize which has assisted in helping to develop a larger scale version and deployment of the ‘Evopod’ in a more representative location. The system has a unique mooring arrangement allowing the turbine to rotate and stay in the tidal flow for maximum energy recovery. The mooring system will improve the ability to withstand more extreme weather conditions and has a quick disconnect feature enabling the turbine module to be brought inshore for ease of maintenance and repair.

Tidal Energy Ltd have now received Planning permission to install a Power Conversion facility in St Justinians, Pembrokeshire, to connect to one of their Delta Stream Generators which will be installed in Ramsey Sound. Delta Stream Generators consist of three turbines, mounted on a triangular base frame which is fixed to the sea bed, that draw energy from the Tidal flow. Any number of the frames can be linked to a grid mooring arrangement to maximize the area of the sea bed available for deployment.

Work is progressing on a 1/40th Scale Proof of Concept Prototype of our own renewable Energy System. Various Computer modeling programmes are also being considered to further demonstrate what we believe is a unique and innovative idea that will add to the increasing amount of Renewable Energy that can and is being obtained from the sea.

www.oceanflowenergy.com
www.tidalenergyltd.com
www.shellspringboard.org

Pelamis Wave Power and Seagen Tidal Energy Systems are to benefit from additional financing of £250,000 and £150,000 respectively from the Carbon Trusts Marine Energy Accelerator Scheme.

For Pelamis this will help fund research into the use of a remotely operated vehicle to assist in maneuvering and positioning their 180 Metre long system. In addition remote control technology should help to reduce installation and maintenance costs.

Marine Current Turbines Seagen tidal Energy system will benefit from the funding which will cover the costs of a feasibility study to develop a remotely operated Sub Sea Drilling Platform for installation of the systems foundation piles.

Installation and maintenance costs for Wave and Tidal Energy account for up to 50% of project costs and any developments to reduce these costs, which the Carbon Trusts funding will assist, should be welcome.

Whilst we believe our system will eliminate many of the costs faced today, by many of the current Wave and tidal Energy systems, results from the Pelamis and Seagen studies could help to endorse our own Design philosophy.
Alternative and renewable Energy are forecast, by Money Week, to be the next Investment bubble and if correct should help to accelerate the developments and improvements in this exiting and challenging area.

www.carbontrust.co.uk
www.pelamiswave.com
www.marineturbines.com
www.moneyweek.com

Alan Newton, C Eng, M.R.I.N.A.