The main objective of the project LifeDemoWave is the demonstration of the feasibility of the use of wave power for electric generation in order to reduce greenhouse gases’ emissions. Thus, according to the regulation LIFE 2014-2020 Regulation (EC) No 1293/2013 the specific objective (d) stablished in article 14 would be reached. Thus, it will contribute to the development and demonstration that the use of other technologies such as wave power helps to mitigate the climate change with easily repeatable equipment. This project wants to raise awareness in society, proving that this is a via to reach clean energy, one of the biggest barriers nowadays.
Additionally, this goal is in accordance with the policies stablished by the EU, which stablished guides for an European strategy for sustainable, competitive and safe energy through the Green Paper (8th of March of 2006). Furthermore, the Directive 2009/28/CE stablished that in 2020, 20% of the EU energy consumption has to come from renewable sources, although this value was only up to 14% in the EU. On the 20th January 2014 it was presented an action plan named «The blue energy», highlighting the support to wave power and tidal power as one of the priority areas in the EU to mitigate climate change, being wave power the solution proposed in LifeDemoWave. The final objective of this project is to help the implementation of these policies and support the adaptation of the applicable legislation in order to adopt these technologies, achieving what was stablished in section (a), article 14.
For demonstration purposes, two prototypes of wave power generation, 25kW each, will be installed in the Galician coast,
(Galicia stands out for having up to 75kW per each meter of wave front) that will be reproducible and scalable at
high level.
Another objective is to quantify the reduction of the carbon footprint and the emission of pollutants
(NOx, NMVOC, SO2, NH3, PM25…). The aim is to reach the set values in the performance indicators,
thus, allowing to adjust to the EU environmental polices such as Directive (2008/50/EC),
(2001/81/EC), (94/63/EC), etc.
The LifeDemoWave project will consider as well in its design and implementation, the environmental impact in the installation areas
and its effect on biodiversity, trying to minimize as much as possible any of these effects and to
quantify them explicitly.
A.1 Analysis of existing technologies and production geographical areas
In the first stage of the project tasks are performed to establish a state of the art suitable for project implementation. Areas on the Galician coast with proper physical and environmental properties will be identified in order to installation of wave energy capture technologies. This will allow selection of the most appropriate operating area, in agreement with the competent authorities, on which a full bathymetric study will be performed.
Another objective of the A1 action is to generate a knowledge base about the current state of development of existing systems for production of renewable energy, focusing on the field of wave energy.
C.1 Design and fabrication of WEC prototypes
This action is aimed to the design and manufacturing of the prototypes to be installed in the experimentation
area, in order to demonstrate that obtaining electricity with these devices can be carried out
with a higher ecological and environmental care that current methods used in other types of renewable
energies.
With regard to obtaining of electrical energy from wave energy, it will be demonstrated that the use of
the proposed prototypes and its implementation in the test area minimizes environmental impact.
C.2 Design and implementation of the generator and electric control
The aim of this action is to design the wave power generation system and its associated control system. It will be necessary to select and size the generating set and define the power control system so that the energy extraction is maximized safely.
C.3 Design and implementation of control systems and telemetry
The control and telemetry system of the wave power generation buoy will monitor the energy efficiency of the generators, the inertial movement of the unit and moorings, while captures images through the underwater video camera included in the prototypes. The waves will also be characterized in real time for the comparative study of energy efficiency and hydrophones are included to quantify the noise impact.
C.4 Mooring system design and WEC stabilization
The aim of this action is to carry out the study of mooring and stabilization system of generators. Tasks on this action will focus on keeping the buoys placed so that they can generate power safely, and to avoid any damage to marine environment.
C.5 Installation and set-up in production geographical areas
After studies in previous actions that determine the appropriate location for mooring and anchoring of the buoy to the seabed, the aim of this action is to carry out the commissioning of the prototypes in the extraction points.
C.6 Demonstration days
This action is aimed at performing several demonstrative generation days. These demonstration sessions complement the implementation of communication and dissemination actions of the project, carried out simultaneously one of the days of dissemination, monitoring and evaluation, as well as networking with other projects within the communication plan.
D.1 Monitoring of the impact on the public target of the project
D.1 action has a double objective: develop the political implications of the project based on the results obtained and confirm the impact of the project. To this end, several events throughout the project will be organized where stakeholders related to wave power electric generation will be involved: political authorities, the scientific community, users (companies and individuals) and the general public.
D.2 Monitoring of environmental impact
The aim of this action is the environmental monitoring of all stages of the project. Location of the prototypes will be monitored and an assessment of environmental risks will be performed while the energy capture devices remain installed.
D.3 Monitoring of the energy efficiency
This action aims the measurement of the energy obtained by the prototypes that harness the energy of waves associated with vertical movement (wave power generation). This analysis relate the energy produced at every moment with the available energy of the resource.
E.1 Project website
The aim of this action is to establish an open channel to disseminate the contents of the project and its activities, to report about project progress and to exploit the results. The website will allow the project and its results are visible beyond the borders of the region and the country (Galicia-Spain) where project runs.
E.2 Life informative panels
LIFE information panels will be developed with the aim of reporting about the project to a wide audience. They will be located in the facilities where actions about which they report are being developed.
E.3 Layman report
Following the indications of the LIFE program, and aiming to provide clear and concise information about the project, its actions and results, a document entitled "Layman Report" will be developed, published and disseminated. This document will be accessible both on paper and on its online version through project website.
E.4 Dissemination plan and communication materials
This action comprises the design and definition of a project dissemination plan as well as creation of communications materials related to the mentioned plan: logos, brochures, newsletters, regular bulletins, press releases, media inserts, and so on.
E.5 Dissemination and implementation events
Action E.5 consists in organizing events for the dissemination and transfer of developed project results. They are provided by two main events, one at the beginning of the project and one at the last stage thereof, as well as by means of project presentation and participation in external events and technical seminars, trade shows and conferences.
F.1 Project management
Action F.1 seeks to ensure good project management, so that its work is carried out effectively, its identified objectives reached and the commitments agreed upon between the participants and the European Commission observed.
F.2 Monitoring and assessment
Action F.2 consists of monitoring and assessing the actions undertaken throughout the project in order to ensure that they progress correctly and that the expected results are indeed achieved. A method of monitoring and evaluation of the project will be launched, consisting of a process of collecting, recording and organizing information about activities and results of the project. They will be evaluated in terms of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, sustainability and impact.
F.3 External audit
Action F.3 consists of an external audit. LifeDemoWave will hire an external auditor to verify project costs and ensure compliance with applicable Spanish and European laws regarding accounting practices, public tenders, and so on, within the framework of LIFE programme.
F.4 Networking with other projects
Action F.4 consists of networking with other projects, including LIFE and other co-financed projects from other European programmes, through information exchange activities with their technical managers. Projects with similar objectives will be selected, not only in the overall project aims but also in several specific fields of each action.
F.5 Post-Life communication plan
Action F.5 involves a communication plan aimed to ensure a common strategy for results communication, dissemination and implementation once the LifeDemoWave project has finished. It is aimed to disseminate information concerning the project, both in Spain and in other countries where project would be feasible.
