1. Feasibility Study of Harnessing Onshore Wave Energy at Waipapa
School of Engineering / Unitec Institute of Technology
Feasibility Study of Harnessing Onshore Wave Energy at Waipapa By
Muhunthan Ponniah /
Babar Mahmood

2. INTRODUCTION
The two key issues that are beginning to drive the current energy sector are Climate change and Fuel Security
The need for Renewable energy is becoming more essential in today’s Energy world market
Wave Energy is emerging as a key technology with the potential to make a large contribution with minimal Environmental Impact

3. RATIONALE
Estimated that if less than 0.1 % of the renewable energy available within the oceans could be converted into electricity it would satisfy the present world demand for energy more than five times over
Estimated wave energy around the New Zealand coastline is 30 kW/m which is a good quality resource
According to NIWA Waipapa receives the highest onshore wave height in New Zealand

4. LOCATION OF WAIPAPA
Waipapa

5. MAIN AIMS
To study the feasibility of harnessing onshore wave energy at Waipapa
To estimate the potential power generation by onshore wave energy at Waipapa

6. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Review the principles and methods currently used to harness onshore sea wave energy
Collect data (wave height, wave period) of New Zealand coastal areas and compare with the Waipapa site
Determine the amount of power that can be harnessed from an onshore sea wave energy model at Waipapa
Analysis of onshore sea wave energy models

7. Turbine efficiency (%)
METHODOLOGY
Literature showed the following principles and methods of harnessing onshore wave energy
Wave Company
Wavegen Company
Energetech company
Principle
OWC
Turbine efficiency (%)
65 %
40 %
Cost per kW
(NZ Cents)
10 cents
15 cents
Power to national grid
Yes No
Environmental issues
Minimal
Not known yet

8. Function of Wavegen model video image
METHODOLOGY …….
Function of Wavegen model video image
Wave height, wave period at Waipapa and other New Zealand coastlines were collected from NIWA
Power generation from an onshore sea wave energy model at Waipapa was calculated using wave power equation
P = 0.5H2T kW/m length of wave crest
P = power in kW/m width of wave front
H = wave height
T = average wave period in seconds

9. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

10. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS……

11. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Power consumption
Average power consumed in a 3 bedroom house in New Zealand is approximately 10 MWh
The average annual onshore wave power from Waipapa over the 5 year period ( ) was 3,693 MWh
Hence Waipapa onshore wave plant could supply power for 369 –3 bedroom houses

12. RENEWABLE ENERGY COST COMPARISONS (NZ $)
Type of Renewable Energy
Cost to produce one kWh
Water (small Hydro)
5 – 10 c/kWh
Wind farms on best sites
6 – 08 c/kWh
Solar (Solar thermal for water heating)
13 – 16 c/kWh
Wave (Onshore wave prototype )
8 – 16 c/kWh

13. Summary and Conclusion
Estimate power produced at Waipapa was
3,693 MWh using the Wave power equation
It can supply power for 369 – 3 bedroom houses
Oscillating Water Column Principle was chosen based on the literature study
Wavegen prototype is the most suitable prototype for the Waipapa site.

14. RECOMMENDATIONS
The costs of possible onshore wave power plants on the New Zealand coast should be more accurately estimated with the help of overseas wave energy companies.
A more ambitious project would be to design and build a New Zealand prototype to get an even better idea of New Zealand conditions
There is a need for further detailed research in the wave energy .

15. QUESTION TIME
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS ?

16. The End