JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #52 - October 2009 - 19

To achieve this, the project team will have to draw together all the pieces of the supply chain jigsaw puzzle which they themselves do not hold. Identifying companies willing to act as eventual subcontractors is relatively easy, but finding those with the necessary expertise, experience and attitude, and who are prepared to undertake some of the inevitable unpaid work required to raise the necessary funding to build the device may be somewhat harder, especially in a climate of downsizing, redundancies and restricted lending. Assuming the team is able to produce a well-structured business plan based on their particular power-generating device, they will eventually have to survive the due diligence process imposed by their customer or investor. Some teams will fall at this final hurdle perhaps due to one of the following factors: unrealistic predictions of annual power generated, a lack of attention to design detail especially in terms of reducing maintenance, poor or unrealistic risk analysis, lack of attention to identifying the weak link(s) in the systems, insufficient consideration of “what if” operational scenarios, or a general underestimation of the effects of environmental factors on such a device. Unfortunately, without a clear "road map" and highly-competent technical and commercial business case, it is likely that many device developers will never raise the necessary funds to bring their invention to fruition. construction materials and simplicity of design. Gurit holds the structural key with composite experience in marine, sub-sea, offshore and civil engineering, as well as in wind energy markets, a broad range of highperformance composite materials and world-leading engineering of large structures. In previous years, the company has engineered and prototyped components ranging from small-scale blades to a complete 1/8 scale turbine. Structural engineering and design work has been done for a number of other device developers. Gurit’s patented Sprint and Sparpreg technologies combined with structural cores and adhesives ensure highly reliable highperformance structures. These structures will incorporate thick laminates which are difficult and costly to manufacture reliably using any other material combination. Furthermore, Gurit’s expertise in tooling and especially in preparing production for mass manufacture will become even more important as the industry matures over the coming decade. More information: www.gurit.com C Power. Solution provider to success There are many different concepts for capturing wave or tidal energy, with a handful already operating at full scale. However, as we have seen, the secret to success in operating and maintaining these devices in a harsh, corrosive marine environment will lie in the choice of FREE SUBSCRIPTION (1 year/8 issues) Please complete the form on line: www.jeccomposites.com/magazine-subscription/ 31,349 Total Qualified Circulation – May issue (BPA June statement 2009) (23,500 Print circulation and 7,849 Electronic circulation), BPA Worldwide No52 October 2009 / jec composites magazine
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JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #52 - October 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #52 - October 2009
