Wavepiston performs scaled towing tests for the project “Composites, Hybrid testing and Simulations for a disruptive Wave Energy Converter” (COHSI-WEC).
A critical aspect of offshore operations is the weather conditions required to perform different type of operations.
By adapting our design to allow for worse weather conditions during installation and maintenance activities, we reduce the dependency on good weather windows. This allows us – depending on specific site conditions – to act quicker and in shorter timeframes, eventually reducing costs and lowering the Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE).
One of our design requirements is that the wave energy converter (WEC) can be towed and installed in normal weather conditions (significant wave height (Hs) up to 1.5m).
In October, we have together with Alan Henry and Aidan Flaherty successfully tested towing procedures (scale 1:30) in Northern Ireland. The preliminary results show that a towing speed of 4 knots in Hs<1,5m is achievable.
This project received funding from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme, EUDP – Det Energiteknologiske Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram.
