In demonstrating the potential impact of the technology in terms of competitiveness it is important to give consideration to other technologies competing within the marine renewable energy sector.

The key to the favourable performance is the high hydrodynamic to pneumatic power conversion efficiency. Intensive model testing sustained over a 6-month period enabled OWC parametric optimisation of the TWEC design. Further efficiency improvements will be gained by the inclusion of the more efficient impulse turbine from Dresser-Rand.

The FEED and Market Assessment have demonstrated that TWEC is the only concept currently available, which can safely access extensive coastlines, associated with high cliffs, deep water and favourable wave resource.

The following table compares TWEC technology with offshore and shoreline alternatives.

Note: Explanation to the signs: TWEC is performing: - = Worse; 0 = is equal; + = slightly better; ++ = better; +++ = much better

The only parameter in which TWEC is performing worse in the comparison is with regard to wave resources as a shoreline concept is less exposed than an offshore device. With regard to power capture it will be slightly better than offshore marine renewables and it will be much better than shoreline alternatives. It is the same with regard to availability of sites. TWEC does also prove to be much better than other alternatives in relation to the installation of the individual device.

In relation to access and maintenance TWEC performs much better than offshore devices and better than other shoreline alternative similar conditions. The TWEC system has a minimum physical and environmental impact, and it proves to be much better than the alternatives in this respect, and also with regard to good access. There is no problem with navigation if the device is based on a shoreline concept, and so far we have also concluded that the economics of the TWEC concept proves to be better than offshore marine renewables, and much better than shoreline alternative.