The EC Wave Dragon project
- The first offshore wave energy converter in the world
connected to the electricity network
by
Dr. Hans Christian Soerensen
Wave Dragon
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Wave Dragon partners subcontractors
SPOK ApS, Project Management Consultancy (DK)
Wave Dragon ApS (Löwenmark F.R.I, Consulting
Engineer) (DK)
Promecon A/S, Construction Enterprise (DK)
Aalborg University – Hydraulics & Coastal
Engineering Laboratory (DK)
Balslev A/S, Consulting Engineers - electrical and
automation systems (DK)
NIRAS AS, Consulting Engineer, Wave forecasting
models (DK)
Armstrong Technology Associates Ltd., Naval
Architects (UK) (Babcock Design & Technology)
VeteranKraft AB, Consulting Engineers - Hydro
turbine design (S)
Nöhrlind Ltd, Research & Business strategy
development (UK)
Technical University Munich, Hydro turbine testing
and CFD modelling (D)
Kössler Ges.m.b.H., Manufacturer of hydro turbines
(A)
ESBI Engineering Ltd. Cable issues (IE)
Wave Energy Centre, Wave climate Portugal (PT)
EM Brno s.r.o., PMG generator (CS)
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Regions where wave energy is most feasible
1 TW
*
60o
30o
13
0o
30o
60o
The western wind belt with the wave energy density in
Wave Dragon
* kW/m
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Why wave energy?
Use of wave energy will contribute to:
• Higher diversification and security of energy supply
• Higher use of renewable energy resources
• Reduction of emissions like: CO2, NOx and SO2
• Lower environmental impact
• Conservation of important resources like oil and gas
• Can cover 50% of the world electricity consumption
- But research is needed and costly
Source: EC Wave Net 2002 and World Energy Council
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Wave Dragon principle
The Wave Dragon is a slackmoored wave energy converter
that can be deployed alone or in
parks wherever a sufficient
wave climate and a water depth
of more than 25 m is found.
Wave reflector
Open compartments to adjust
floating level
Wave Dragon
Reservoir
Waves overtopping the
doubly curved ramp
Turbine outlet
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The EC Wave Dragon test sites
The Wave Dragon is deployed
in a fjord with a wave climate
of scale 1:4.5 of the North Sea
in a bird protection area
(Ramsar)
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The EC Wave Dragon project objectives
2004:
2006:
2009-10:
Wave Dragon
Reliable power production demonstrated
and all wave situations tested
Full size Atlantic unit 4 -7 MW unit to be
demonstrated
Power plant size to be demonstrated
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Wave Dragon power plant
4 km
Electricity for 40,000 to 60,000 homes can be
generated from:
• 7 units in a 4 km line resulting in a power plant,
size: 50 – 80 MW.
• A size of 3.2 km2, which is 75% of the space needed for
offshore wind farms at the same power.
• At deep water (more than 25 meter) almost without visual
impact.
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Predicted cost for wave energy compared to
wind energy produced electricity
€/kWh
Wind realised
0,35
Wave prediction
0,30
0,25
0,20
0,15
0,10
0,05
Target year 2016
19
85
19
86
19
87
19
88
19
89
19
90
19
91
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
0,00
Source: EC Wave Net 2002 and Risø
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The EC Wave Dragon project: What next?
• Demonstrate regular power production from
December 2003
• Demonstrate survivability – 12 months now
with several storms
• Optimise power production August 2004
• Optimise structural design December 2004
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The EC Wave Dragon project: Conclusions
Conclusions:
The system works
• Deployment March 2003
• Power production to the consumer May 2003 as the first
offshore wave energy converter in the world
• Remote control system working October 2003
The implementation
• The planning for deployment in UK, Ireland, Spain,
Portugal, France, Germany, Norway and/or Denmark by
2006 of a 4 - 7 MW unit – producing electricity for 3,000
to 6,000 homes - can begin
The best economical conditions will be decisive for the site.
Even US has shown interest.
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