About WaveMaster

A feasibility study has been carried out by Smith Rea Energy Limited, funded by a Smart Award from the DTI, which confirmed that the WaveMaster system is technically and commercially viable. A 3m model was constructed as part of this study which proved the principle in practical tests in flumes at both UMIST and Newcastle University.

A WaveMaster device consists of two pressure chambers connected via a number of turbines and is located under water surface so that, at all times, the device is covered. The upper surface of each chamber is an "active surface" covered with many one-way valves which control the flow of water through the device.

The valves on the high-pressure chamber allow the flow of water into the chamber provided the outside pressure is higher than the internal chamber pressure. This typcially occurs under wave crests. If the outside pressure is less than the internal pressure then the valves remain closed and there is no flow.

Similarly, the valves on the low-pressure chamber will only allow water to flow out of the chamber if the internal pressure is higher than that outside. This typcially occurs under wave troughs. If the internal pressure is less than the outside pressure then the valves remain closed and there is no flow.