The second set of wave tank tests, focused on the modelling of flexible blades for the sails, has been completed successfully at Aalborg University.
A second wave-tank testing campaign was successfully completed in October 2024 at Aalborg University, which focused on the modelling of flexible blades for the sails. Particular attention was paid to correctly modelling the flexibility of the blades at the wave-tank scale. These tests have been built on the first testing campaign that was completed in July 2024, which investigated solid and perforated blades.
Analysis of the new tank testing results demonstrated that the extreme loads on the sails that occur during storms could be reduced by up to 60% with the use of flexible blades for the sails, which represents a significant advance in sail design. In addition, an unexpected but positive outcome from the tests was that it was identified that the use of flexible blades can increase the power capture by about 10%. Further investigations are planned to investigate whether the power capture can be further improved without affecting the extreme loads.
A final set of wave tank tests are planned for the spring of 2025, where the proposed sail designs for Wavepiston technology will be modelled and their performance assessed.
This project received funding from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme, EUDP – Det Energiteknologiske Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram.
