Oyster 2 is an expansion of the Oyster 1 prototype installed at the EMEC test site in Orkney which consists of a simple steel Oscillating Wave Energy Converter (WEC), or pump, fitted with double acting water pistons, deployed near-shore in depths around 10-12m. Each passing wave activates the pump which delivers high pressure water via a sub-sea pipeline to the shore. Onshore, high-pressure water is converted to electrical power estimated using proven, conventional hydro-electric generators.
Oyster 2 will be developed as an interlinked array of WECs with an associated control and monitoring system which can be installed with varying techniques driven by the geotechnical site conditions.