The figure below shows the 50 m string with 8 energy collectors (ECs) before deployment from the beach at Nissum Bredning.
The 8 mounted EC’s maintained their efficiency during the test period without maintenance, despite heavy biofouling and millions of wave cycles. Much was learned about the hydraulic cylinders, valves, and the use of seawater as a hydraulic fluid.
Furthermore, lessons were learned on the handling of a full string in deployment and mooring.
Although Nissum Bredning is excellent for testing systems, deployment and influence of biofouling, the waves at Nissum Bredning are very calm. Hence, neither realistic energy production, nor testing the mechanical limits of a concept is feasible at this test site. On days with heavy wind the energy output was however close to the calculated forecasts.
On the chart below these days are marked along with the predicted curves.
