Real Sea Solutions
Previous developments
The concept of Poseidon was established back in 1980. In 1996 the development process was speeded up and the concept has during the last decade undergone tests in scale models of the following sizes:
- 2,4 meter wave front, system test (scale 1:100 of a 240m system)
- 15 meter wave front, floater test (scale 1:25 of a 375m system)
- 8,4 meter wave front, system test (scale 1:50 of a 420m system)
Continuously engineering development has been performed concurrently with the carrying out the tests.
2,4 meter wave front, system test:
In 1998 the first concept test was performed at Aalborg University in their off-shore wave basin. The aim of the test was to verify the durability and sustainability of the concept. The test was performed without wind turbines. The results were promising and indicated a potential for a new competitive wave Power Take-Off system (PTO system).
15 meter wave front, floater test
In the years of 1999/2000 the floaters for the concept were tested in a wave flume in a system scale of 15 meter wave front, i.e. the tested floaters had a 0,75 meter wave front. The goal of the test was to improve the energy utilization rate by optimizing the design of the floaters.
The final floater design improved the utilization rate considerably. An important result of this test was, besides the physical shape of the floaters, the promising results from ballasting the floaters, which is an integrated an important part of the current design.
8,4 meter wave front, system test
In the years of 2001/2002 an 8,4 meter model was system tested. The model included simulated wind turbines, ballasting, and included a significant force and movement measuring program. The results were very promising and documented a utilization rate of 35% (from wave energy to electricity).
Secondly the concept of using the system as a floating foundation for off-shore wind mills was documented. Furthermore the use of wind mills increased the utilization rate of the wave power plant, due to less movement of the plat form.
