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Mr Pablo Ruiz-Minguela is Head of Wave Energy at TECNALIA, where he leads R&D activities related to the development of wave energy technologies both at national and international level. From 2008 to 2010 he also acted as the General Manager and Technical Director of OCEANTEC, a spin-off created by TECNALIA and IBERDROLA to develop cost-effective technologies for marine energy conversion. In 2018 he was elected Board Member of the European Ocean Energy Association. He offers 27 years of experience in R&D at TECNALIA (15 of them in Wave Energy), has managed over 30 research projects, and is author or co-author of 5 patents for marine energy, 18 publications and 23 conference communications. MSc in Industrial Engineering (1991) and Postgraduate studies in Electrical Engineering (2008) at the University of Basque Country, Spain; MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Technology (1992) at the University of Manchester, Institute of Science and Technology, UK; MBA (2012) at the Business School ESEUNE, Spain.
Project Goal: ETIP Ocean 2 will ensure optimal use of existing resources for the sector and streamline sectoral activities; support and accelerate European and global deployment of ocean energy; - and ensure that the potential benefits for European industry and society are maximised.
Current Stage: On-going
Project Goal: The overarching objective of the DTOceanPlus project is to develop and demonstrate an open source, integrated suite of 2nd generation design tools for ocean energy technologies including sub-systems, energy capture devices and arrays that support the entire technology innovation process (from concept, through to development, to deployment)
Current Stage: On-going
Project Goal: The OPERA project aims to collect, analyse and share open-sea operating data and experience to validate and de-risk several industrial innovations for wave energy, taking them from a laboratory environment (TRL 3) to a marine environment (TRL 5), opening the way to long term cost-reduction of over 50%
Current Stage: Finished
The crisis caused by the COVID-19 has awakened the fear of forgetting the fight against Climate Change coming up with a number of initiatives demanding to accelerate the European Green Deal, as the best way out of the crisis. Offshore renewable energy sources, including offshore wind, wave power and tidal streams, might play a crucial role in meeting low-carbon energy scenarios, which is one of the six key principles of the Green Recovery, contributing at the same time to economic growth and job creation. However, continuous cost reduction is needed to achieve more efficient and competitive technologies in comparison to other energy sources. Design tools can help to accelerate cost reduction in early stages of technology development or deployment project planning. This article shows some examples of design tools developed within four European funded R&D projects: • DTOcean and DTOceanPlus provide advanced design tools for ocean energy systems innovation, development and deployment • LIFES50+ proves cost effective technology for floating substructures for 10MW wind turbines at water depths greater than 50 m • OPERA collects, analyses and shares open-sea operating data and experience to validate and de-risk several industrial innovations for wave energy The design tools presented in this article cover different stages of technology or project development: • Multi-physics numerical modelling tools for the design of floating offshore wind turbines • Decision-making tools during the planning phase of offshore wind or ocean energy farms • Structured innovation and stage gate tools for the evaluation of innovations for offshore renewables at early stages of development The reader will be able to find out references to useful open source tools and public documents produced by these projects. Keywords: design tools, offshore wind, wave power, tidal energy, numerical modelling, structured innovation, deployment project planning
Jose Luis Villate Martinez; Pablo Ruiz Minguela; German Perez Moran; Vincenzo Nava; Eider Robles. DESIGN TOOLS FOR OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY. DYNA 2020, 95, 601 -605.
AMA StyleJose Luis Villate Martinez, Pablo Ruiz Minguela, German Perez Moran, Vincenzo Nava, Eider Robles. DESIGN TOOLS FOR OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY. DYNA. 2020; 95 (1):601-605.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJose Luis Villate Martinez; Pablo Ruiz Minguela; German Perez Moran; Vincenzo Nava; Eider Robles. 2020. "DESIGN TOOLS FOR OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY." DYNA 95, no. 1: 601-605.
The design of effective and economically viable wave energy devices involves complex decision-making about the product based on conceptual design information, including stakeholder requirements, functions, components and technical parameters. The great diversity of concepts makes it extremely difficult to create fair comparisons of the relative merits of the many different designs. Conventional design approaches have proved insufficient to guarantee wave energy technologies meet their technical and economic goals. Systems engineering can provide a suitable framework to overcome the obstacles towards a successful wave energy technology. The main objective of this work is to review the well-established systems engineering approaches that have been successfully implemented in complex engineering problems and to what extent they have been applied to wave energy technology development. The paper first reviews how system information can be organised in different design domains to guide the synthesis and analysis activities and the definition of requirements and metrics, as well as the search for solutions and decision-making. Then, an exhaustive literature review on the application of systems engineering approaches to wave energy development is presented per design domain. Finally, a set of conclusions is drawn, along with some suggestions for improving the effectiveness of wave energy technology development.
Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; Vincenzo Nava; Jonathan Hodges; Jesús M. Blanco. Review of Systems Engineering (SE) Methods and Their Application to Wave Energy Technology Development. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 2020, 8, 823 .
AMA StylePablo Ruiz-Minguela, Vincenzo Nava, Jonathan Hodges, Jesús M. Blanco. Review of Systems Engineering (SE) Methods and Their Application to Wave Energy Technology Development. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2020; 8 (10):823.
Chicago/Turabian StylePablo Ruiz-Minguela; Vincenzo Nava; Jonathan Hodges; Jesús M. Blanco. 2020. "Review of Systems Engineering (SE) Methods and Their Application to Wave Energy Technology Development." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 8, no. 10: 823.
The push for carbon-free energy sources has helped encourage the development of the ocean renewable energy sector. As ocean renewable energy approaches commercial maturity, the industry must be able to prove it can provide clean electrical power of good quality for consumers. As part of the EU funded Open Sea Operating Experience to Reduce Wave Energy Cost (OPERA) project that is tasked with developing the wave energy sector, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) developed electrical power quality standards for marine energy converters, which were applied to an oscillating water column (OWC). This was done both in the laboratory and in the real world. Precise electrical monitoring equipment was installed in the Mutriku Wave Power Plant in Spain and to an OWC emulator in the Lir National Ocean Test Facility at University College Cork in Ireland to monitor the electrical power of both. The electrical power generated was analysed for harmonic current distortion and the results were compared. The observations from sea trials and laboratory trials demonstrate that laboratory emulators can be used in early stage development to identify the harmonic characteristics of a wave energy converter.
James Kelly; Endika Aldaiturriaga; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela. Applying International Power Quality Standards for Current Harmonic Distortion to Wave Energy Converters and Verified Device Emulators. Energies 2019, 12, 3654 .
AMA StyleJames Kelly, Endika Aldaiturriaga, Pablo Ruiz-Minguela. Applying International Power Quality Standards for Current Harmonic Distortion to Wave Energy Converters and Verified Device Emulators. Energies. 2019; 12 (19):3654.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJames Kelly; Endika Aldaiturriaga; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela. 2019. "Applying International Power Quality Standards for Current Harmonic Distortion to Wave Energy Converters and Verified Device Emulators." Energies 12, no. 19: 3654.
Of the cost centres that combine to result in Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE), O&M costs play a significant part. Several developers have calculated component costs, demonstrating how they can become commercially competitive with other forms of renewable energy. However, there are uncertainties relating to the O&M figures that can only be reduced through lessons learned at sea. This work presents an O&M model calibrated with data from real sea experience of a wave energy device deployed at the Biscay Marine energy Platform (BiMEP): the OPERA O&M Model. Two additional case studies, utilising two other O&M calculation methodologies, are presented for comparison with the OPERA O&M Model. The second case study assumes the inexistence of an O&M model, utilising a Simplified Approach. The third case study applies DTOcean’s (a design tool for ocean energy arrays) O&M module. The results illustrate the potential advantages of utilising real sea data for the calibration and development of an O&M model. The Simplified Approach was observed to overestimate LCOE when compared to the OPERA O&M Model. This work also shows that O&M models can be used for the definition of optimal maintenance plans to assist with OPEX reduction.
Tianna Bloise Thomaz; David Crooks; Encarni Medina-Lopez; Leonore Van Velzen; Henry Jeffrey; Joseba Lopez Mendia; Raul Rodriguez Arias; Pablo Ruiz Minguela. O&M Models for Ocean Energy Converters: Calibrating through Real Sea Data. Energies 2019, 12, 2475 .
AMA StyleTianna Bloise Thomaz, David Crooks, Encarni Medina-Lopez, Leonore Van Velzen, Henry Jeffrey, Joseba Lopez Mendia, Raul Rodriguez Arias, Pablo Ruiz Minguela. O&M Models for Ocean Energy Converters: Calibrating through Real Sea Data. Energies. 2019; 12 (13):2475.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTianna Bloise Thomaz; David Crooks; Encarni Medina-Lopez; Leonore Van Velzen; Henry Jeffrey; Joseba Lopez Mendia; Raul Rodriguez Arias; Pablo Ruiz Minguela. 2019. "O&M Models for Ocean Energy Converters: Calibrating through Real Sea Data." Energies 12, no. 13: 2475.
Variability in the predicted cost of energy of an ocean energy converter array is more substantial than for other forms of energy generation, due to the combined stochastic action of weather conditions and failures. If the variability is great enough, then this may influence future financial decisions. This paper provides the unique contribution of quantifying variability in the predicted cost of energy and introduces a framework for investigating reduction of variability through investment in components. Following review of existing methodologies for parametric analysis of ocean energy array design, the development of the DTOcean software tool is presented. DTOcean can quantify variability by simulating the design, deployment and operation of arrays with higher complexity than previous models, designing sub-systems at component level. A case study of a theoretical floating wave energy converter array is used to demonstrate that the variability in levelised cost of energy (LCOE) can be greatest for the smallest arrays and that investment in improved component reliability can reduce both the variability and most likely value of LCOE. A hypothetical study of improved electrical cables and connectors shows reductions in LCOE up to 2.51% and reductions in the variability of LCOE of over 50%; these minima occur for different combinations of components.
Mathew B.R. Topper; Vincenzo Nava; Adam J. Collin; David Bould; Francesco Ferri; Sterling S. Olson; Ann R. Dallman; Jesse D. Roberts; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; Henry F. Jeffrey. Reducing variability in the cost of energy of ocean energy arrays. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2019, 112, 263 -279.
AMA StyleMathew B.R. Topper, Vincenzo Nava, Adam J. Collin, David Bould, Francesco Ferri, Sterling S. Olson, Ann R. Dallman, Jesse D. Roberts, Pablo Ruiz-Minguela, Henry F. Jeffrey. Reducing variability in the cost of energy of ocean energy arrays. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2019; 112 ():263-279.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMathew B.R. Topper; Vincenzo Nava; Adam J. Collin; David Bould; Francesco Ferri; Sterling S. Olson; Ann R. Dallman; Jesse D. Roberts; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; Henry F. Jeffrey. 2019. "Reducing variability in the cost of energy of ocean energy arrays." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 112, no. : 263-279.
In order to de-risk wave energy technologies and bring confidence to the sector, it is necessary to gain experience and collect data from sea trials. As part of the OPERA H2020 project, the Mutriku Wave Power Plant (MWPP) is being used as a real condition laboratory for the experiment of innovative technologies. The plant is situated in the North shore of Spain and has been operating since 2011. It uses the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) principle, which consists in compressing and expanding the air trapped in a chamber due to the inner free-surface oscillation resulting from the incident waves. The pressure difference between the air chamber and the atmosphere is used to drive an air turbine. In that case, a self-rectifying air turbine is the best candidate for the energy conversion, as it produces a unidirectional torque in presence of a bi-directional flow. The power take-off system installed is composed of a biradial turbine connected to a 30kW off-the-shelf squirrel cage generator. One of the novelties of the turbine is a high-speed stop-valve installed close to the rotor. The valve may be used to control the flow rate through the turbine or for latching control. This paper focuses on the development, the implementation and the numerical simulation of five control strategies including turbine speed and generator torque controllers. The algorithms were designed thanks to a numerical model describing one of the OWC chambers of the Mutriku power plant. Numerical results are presented for a variety of sea states and a comparison between the proposed control laws in terms of energy production and power quality is performed.
François-Xavier Faÿ; James Kelly; João Henriques; Ainhoa Pujana; Mohammad Abusara; Markus Mueller; Imanol Touzon; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela. Numerical Simulation of Control Strategies at Mutriku Wave Power Plant. Volume 10: Ocean Renewable Energy 2018, 1 .
AMA StyleFrançois-Xavier Faÿ, James Kelly, João Henriques, Ainhoa Pujana, Mohammad Abusara, Markus Mueller, Imanol Touzon, Pablo Ruiz-Minguela. Numerical Simulation of Control Strategies at Mutriku Wave Power Plant. Volume 10: Ocean Renewable Energy. 2018; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrançois-Xavier Faÿ; James Kelly; João Henriques; Ainhoa Pujana; Mohammad Abusara; Markus Mueller; Imanol Touzon; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela. 2018. "Numerical Simulation of Control Strategies at Mutriku Wave Power Plant." Volume 10: Ocean Renewable Energy , no. : 1.
The history of underwater electrical connectors is relatively new: In 1858, the first transatlantic communication cable was created. Since then, the need for subsea electrical connectors has been growing very fast in the offshore industry. Today numerous companies offer a large choice of underwater connectors and assemblies, and it can be intricate to distinguish the different technologies employed for each of them. However the use, deployment, maintenance, and lifetime of any subsea equipment, from a simple sonar to a wave energy converter, relies on its connectors. Hence the design of an underwater electrical connector is to be carefully looked at, and especially for tailor-made applications that have more specific requirements. To produce a good connector, it is necessary to account for thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, as well as to determine the best materials that should be used for the application. Finally, connector issues go hand in hand with the deployment and operation of any electrical equipment, and it is of interest to review the different techniques for cable connection, as well as the challenges related to cable layout. Those challenges can be of different nature, but they should all be taken into account for any subsea connection.
Flore Remouit; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; Jens Engstrom. Review of Electrical Connectors for Underwater Applications. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering 2017, 43, 1037 -1047.
AMA StyleFlore Remouit, Pablo Ruiz-Minguela, Jens Engstrom. Review of Electrical Connectors for Underwater Applications. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering. 2017; 43 (4):1037-1047.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFlore Remouit; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; Jens Engstrom. 2017. "Review of Electrical Connectors for Underwater Applications." IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering 43, no. 4: 1037-1047.
This paper proposes an optimisation strategy for the layout design of wave energy converter (WEC) arrays. Optimal layouts are sought so as to maximise the absorbed power given a minimum q-factor, the minimum distance between WECs, and an area of deployment. To guarantee an efficient optimisation, a four-parameter layout description is proposed. Three different optimisation algorithms are further compared in terms of performance and computational cost. These are the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA), a genetic algorithm (GA) and the glowworm swarm optimisation (GSO) algorithm. The results show slightly higher performances for the latter two algorithms; however, the first turns out to be significantly less computationally demanding.
Pau Mercadé Ruiz; Vincenzo Nava; Mathew B. R. Topper; Pablo Ruiz Minguela; Francesco Ferri; Jens Peter Kofoed. Layout Optimisation of Wave Energy Converter Arrays. Energies 2017, 10, 1262 .
AMA StylePau Mercadé Ruiz, Vincenzo Nava, Mathew B. R. Topper, Pablo Ruiz Minguela, Francesco Ferri, Jens Peter Kofoed. Layout Optimisation of Wave Energy Converter Arrays. Energies. 2017; 10 (9):1262.
Chicago/Turabian StylePau Mercadé Ruiz; Vincenzo Nava; Mathew B. R. Topper; Pablo Ruiz Minguela; Francesco Ferri; Jens Peter Kofoed. 2017. "Layout Optimisation of Wave Energy Converter Arrays." Energies 10, no. 9: 1262.
V Nava; M Topper; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; A De Andrés; H Jeffrey; C Soares. A critical discussion about optimisation approaches for ocean energy array design. Progress in Renewable Energies Offshore 2016, 383 -392.
AMA StyleV Nava, M Topper, Pablo Ruiz-Minguela, A De Andrés, H Jeffrey, C Soares. A critical discussion about optimisation approaches for ocean energy array design. Progress in Renewable Energies Offshore. 2016; ():383-392.
Chicago/Turabian StyleV Nava; M Topper; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; A De Andrés; H Jeffrey; C Soares. 2016. "A critical discussion about optimisation approaches for ocean energy array design." Progress in Renewable Energies Offshore , no. : 383-392.
Recently, considerable interest has been generated in the wave energy production. As a new use of the ocean, a Spatial Planning approach is proposed to provide a mechanism to achieve consensus among the sectors operating at present, together with the identification of the most suitable locations to accommodate the Wave Energy Converters (WECs), in the near future. In this contribution: (a) a methodology for the establishment of a Suitability Index (SI) for WECs installation location selection is proposed; (b) the spatial distribution of the SI is mapped; and finally, (c) the accessible wave energy potential has been calculated for the entire Basque continental shelf. As the SI represents the appropriateness of several locations for WECs installation, while minimizing the conflict with other marine uses, the first step in the development of the analysis involved gathering all such information that may be likely to determine, or influence, the decision-making process. Seventeen information layers (among them 10 technical, 4 environmental, and 3 socioeconomical), corresponding to the identified key factors, including the theoretical wave energy in the study area, were generated to define their spatial distribution. Geographical Information System algorithms were used then in the assessment of the total theoretical energy potential and the accessible theoretical energy potential; these were calculated excluding areas where conflicts with other uses occur, such as navigation regulations or designated Marine Protected Areas. The resulting map indicates that, taking into account the zones not affected by “use conflicts,” together with the estimated energy performance of the most advanced WECs technology, the potential energy produced in the study area could supply between 37% and 50% of the electrical consumption of households in the Basque Country. This contribution could avoid the annual emission of 0.96 to 1.54 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Ibon Galparsoro; Pedro Liria; Irati Legorburu; Juan Bald; Guillem Chust; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; German Perez; Javier Marqués; Yago Torre-Enciso; Manuel González; Angel Borja. A Marine Spatial Planning Approach to Select Suitable Areas for Installing Wave Energy Converters (WECs), on the Basque Continental Shelf (Bay of Biscay). Coastal Management 2012, 40, 1 -19.
AMA StyleIbon Galparsoro, Pedro Liria, Irati Legorburu, Juan Bald, Guillem Chust, Pablo Ruiz-Minguela, German Perez, Javier Marqués, Yago Torre-Enciso, Manuel González, Angel Borja. A Marine Spatial Planning Approach to Select Suitable Areas for Installing Wave Energy Converters (WECs), on the Basque Continental Shelf (Bay of Biscay). Coastal Management. 2012; 40 (1):1-19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIbon Galparsoro; Pedro Liria; Irati Legorburu; Juan Bald; Guillem Chust; Pablo Ruiz-Minguela; German Perez; Javier Marqués; Yago Torre-Enciso; Manuel González; Angel Borja. 2012. "A Marine Spatial Planning Approach to Select Suitable Areas for Installing Wave Energy Converters (WECs), on the Basque Continental Shelf (Bay of Biscay)." Coastal Management 40, no. 1: 1-19.
Among the various types of wave energy converters currently being developed, heaving point absorbers are one of the simplest and most promising concepts. A typical efficient energy conversion system for point absorbers is based on hydraulic power take-off (PTO) systems, consisting in a double-acting cylinder, a hydraulic motor and two or more accumulators. This paper presents a simple model of a heaving oscillating buoy extracting power by means of a hydraulic system. The hydrodynamic behaviour of the absorber is modelled through application of the linear water wave theory. Apart from the basic elements listed above, the model of the hydraulic system includes leakages and pressure losses and takes into account the compressibility of the fluid. Also, possible control accumulators are considered in order to improve the performance of the hydraulic system by means of properly controlled valves. Different control variables are analysed depending on the wave inputs considered in order to improve the power extraction of the converter. The results prove that it is possible to achieve a great enhancement of the power extraction with the implementation of these control strategies and that a possible combination of some of them might be beneficial for improved efficiency of the components.
P. Ricci; J. Lopez; M. Santos; P. Ruiz-Minguela; J.L. Villate; F. Salcedo; A.F.Deo. Falcão. Control strategies for a wave energy converter connected to a hydraulic power take-off. IET Renewable Power Generation 2011, 5, 234 -244.
AMA StyleP. Ricci, J. Lopez, M. Santos, P. Ruiz-Minguela, J.L. Villate, F. Salcedo, A.F.Deo. Falcão. Control strategies for a wave energy converter connected to a hydraulic power take-off. IET Renewable Power Generation. 2011; 5 (3):234-244.
Chicago/Turabian StyleP. Ricci; J. Lopez; M. Santos; P. Ruiz-Minguela; J.L. Villate; F. Salcedo; A.F.Deo. Falcão. 2011. "Control strategies for a wave energy converter connected to a hydraulic power take-off." IET Renewable Power Generation 5, no. 3: 234-244.