Andrew Caska

BE (Mech)(Space) (Hons 1) 2005, BSc (Geosciences) 2002.
Postgraduate Research student
Environmental Fluids



Department of Civil Engineering, Room 101
Phone: +61 2 9351 2145
Fax: +61 2 9351 3343
Email: A.Caska@civil.usyd.edu.au

Research project - Hydrodynamics Optimisation of a Wave Energy Device

Supervisor: Dr Tim Finnigan

The reality of renewable energy is that new technologies must be able to compete on an open market. That is, be cost competitive cents/KW against established technologies. In Australia, sights must be firmly on the coal industry as a cost benchmark.

The only way wave energy will be able to command any market share in the new energy economy is if devices can quickly return upon a reasonable capital investment. Many devices to this date, namely oscillating water column devices (OWC) need a colossal engineering effort to ensure the structure is strong enough to withstand peak sea loads. In these devices the structure is over-engineered 99% of the time and even if high electrical conversion efficiencies are achieved the capital costs siphon any benefits.

It is the aim of my work to investigate a direct generation WEC devices based on the underwater hydrodynamics of an oscillation fluid. In particular, the focus is on vertical and inclined array structures.

Additional information will become available as details are finalised.

Learning and Teaching

• Mechanical Design (MECH 3460) (2005)
• Sensors and Signals (MECH 4720/5720)