Snapper

Snapper background

The concept of the Snapper electrical generator arose during attempts to overcome a fundamental difficulty of wave power generation.

Electrical generators produce power as a result of the movement of an applied force. The size, weight and cost are all related to the magnitude of the force but the power is related to speed as well.

Sea waves have very low vertical velocities but can produce very high forces and so normal types of electrical generator would be very heavy, expensive and inefficient.

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Objectives and outcomes

Our aim is to develop a novel, low cost, high efficiency, rare-earth magnet linear generator for marine wave energy extraction.

This project will simulate, design, build and test a concept to prove the viability of the technology.

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The Project

The Snapper project is a Seventh Framework Programme funded by the European Commission. The financial support from the European Community is gratefully acknowledged.

The project started on 1st September 2009 and will last for 2 years.

The project consists of a consortium of RTD and SME organisations based all across Europe.

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