Global's X-Wave Facility
Global Oceanic Designs' newly modernized X-Wave Facility is located in Willis, Texas, in a 7.6 acre wooded property that has recently been renovated. The facility's main feature is its 150 ft. long x 40 ft. wide x 16 ft. deep, ocean-wave research pool.
X-Wave is designed to facilitate development and testing of ocean related technologies. It provides a controlled and adaptable environment for projects such as underwater and sea-surface construction research, marine vessel testing, wave energy research and upcoming ocean-related activities.
X-Wave offers the opportunity to accelerate research-completion time, facilitating researchers and inventors to bring new technologies and clean wave-energy products to market faster, more cost-effectively, and at a lower risk. X-Wave's ability to recreate/simulate sea dynamics offers a new site to test and refine marine systems of various arrangements and configurations. The X-Wave Facility is open to all industries needing large wave pools; such as the movie industry, educational institutions and sports training for elite athletes, per example.
The X-Wave pool is complemented by four adjacent buildings. Two underground bunkers located at each end of the wave pool, each feature two underwater viewing windows that can be use for viewing, data gathering and study laboratories while testing is taking place in the pool.
The two above ground buildings are at each end of the pool's deck. One of these facilities is currently serving as a utility workspace and equipment storage area, in the future it will serve as a waiting and elevated observation area and will also store a variety of monitoring equipment and mooring devices to provide X-Wave's clients the ability to modify their testing set ups.
The other above-ground building houses the X-Wave's computerized pool controls, a system designed to meet the specific operational demands of the wave makers. This integrated system is capable of sustaining waves from as low as 6 inches to as high as 7 ft.; furthermore, all data collection and analysis take place here.
X-Wave's staff accommodates any type of request for wave research and provides any necessary equipment. Plans are in motion to outfit the wave pool with cranes and lifts to move heavy prototypes and equipment, these services are currently provided through external contractors. Additionally wind turbines will be placed in the pool, this equipment will fit X-Wave with means to replicate a number of sea states with incredible accuracy.
On the left front side of the grounds is X-Wave's fully equipped machine shop and materials library. It is a work space that provides tools to work in acrylic, steel, wood and any other type of material required. This building also houses office space for the management staff of the pool and its grounds. The building is programmed to be transformed into a showcase exhibition space in the near future.
Two more buildings will be added to the complex. A 9000 sq. ft. industrial building will expand the services currently offered by adding larger shops and prototype construction spaces, along with additional mooring and rigging equipment. The other building, a 4000 sq. ft., two story office complex, will be housing office and computer equipment and additional office space available for use by X-Wave's clients.
These two buildings will complete the X-Wave Facility expansion plans and will place it at the center of the demand that currently exists for fully equipped ocean research and testing centers.
"Global's X-Wave Tank in Operation"
