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The Oyster is a hydro-electric wave energy device that uses the motion of ocean waves to generate electricity. It is made up of a Power Connector Frame (PCF), which is bolted to the seabed, and a Power Capture Unit (PCU). The PCU is a hinged buoyant flap that moves back and forth with movement of the waves. The movement of the flap drives two hydraulic pistons that feed high-pressured water to an onshore hydro-electric turbine, which drives a generator to make electricity. Oyster is stationed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) at its Billia Croo site in Orkney, Scotland. Aquamarine Power installed Oyster at the EMEC in August 2009. On 20 November 2009, Oyster was officially launched and connected to the National Grid (UK) by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond.〔("Oyster 1". ) Aquamarine Power. Retrieved 2011-01-24〕 Current developments are underway to build a more efficient and powerful second-generation device, Oyster 2.〔 ==History== Oyster was developed by Edinburgh-based Aquamarine Power, a company that focuses on wave energy. The concept originated from research at Queen’s University, Belfast, led by professor Trevor Whittaker, Head of the Wave Power Research Centre at Queen's.〔("Queen's Energy Partnership Makes Waves for UK" ). Queen's University Belfast. Retrieved 2011-01-31〕 Aquamarine Power also teamed up with Renewable Technology Ventures Ltd (STVL),〔("Investment Case Study: Aquamarine Power Limited" ). Scottish and Southern Energy. Retrieved 2011-01-31〕 a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy (SEE), to fund the Oyster project. Aquamarine Power was able to secure a £6.3m investment from Scottish Enterprise. In addition, Scottish Enterprises awarded Aquamarine Power a £3.15 million grant from the Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support fund (WATERS).〔("Winners of WATERS Grant Announced". Scottish Enterprise. Retrieved 2011-01-31 )〕 Aquamarine Power also received £1.5m from Sigma Capital Group plc.〔("Scotland's First Minister Launches Oyster" ). Aquamarine Power -- News and Events. Retrieved 2011-02-02〕 Altogether, Aquamarine Power was able to raise £11 million to stage this project.〔Jones, Peter. ("Wave Machine to Power Homes" ). The Sunday Times (UK). Retrieved 2011-02-01〕 In June 2009, Aquamarine Power signed a £2.5 million contract with Fugro Seacore to install the Oyster device at the European Marine Energy Centre test site at Billia Croo. Oyster was installed 400 metres offshore, west of the Orkney mainland, in 12 metre-deep water.〔 Oyster was installed in August 2009; however it was officially launched on 20 November 2009 by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond. That same day, Oyster was connected the National Grid (UK) and began generating electricity.〔 Aquamarine Power hopes to commercialize Oyster and has already signed an agreement with Scottish and Southern Energy to develop up to 1000MW of wave farms by 2020.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Oyster wave energy converter」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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