Demonstration site at Runde, Norway - Case study

In early 2016 a full size Waves4Power system was launched approximately half a Nautical mile south west of the Runde Island. The system is comprised of an eight meter in diameter buoy connected via a dynamic low voltage cable to the collection hub. Here, a transformer increases the voltage to 22 kV before the power is transmitted via a subsea cable to the shore-based power grid. The plan is to launch an upgraded demonstration unit at Runde in 2019 and connect it to the power grid using existing infrastructure.

June 2, 2017 the system started delivery of power to the local electric grid. On September 21, H.M. King Harald V of Norway officiated a ribbon cutting ceremony for the system, inaugurating the future industrial development of wave power by Waves4Power in Norway. The system was fully functional on site from June 2 until mid. November 2017, at which time – two of the mooring lines were mechanically impacted (cut straight off) by unknown means – the buoy had to be recovered from site. The plan is to reinstall and grid connect the buoy in 2019, after upgrades.

The installation was initially permitted for three years at the Runde site, but may be extended as the system is built to last for 25 years.

The goals for the installation are to:

• Demonstrate survivability for many years in the Norwegian wave climate
• Be an accessible wave power demonstration installation – for customers, investors, and the world – to see in action
• Give an opportunity for Waves4Power’s partners to showcase the device as an example of their commitment to green energy
• Demonstrate reliable and sustainable energy production from the ocean waves over several years (Our original goal was set to reach a minimum of 10000 hours of system survival testing and 3000 hours of system functional testing. We reached 12000 and 4000 hours, respectively.)

The Waves4Power project at Runde is a real-life demonstration of the functionality and survivability of the wave power system. The wave climate at Runde is ideal for a demonstration of highly efficient wave power production, and the infrastructure is already in place. The system is designed for an operational life of 25 years. The WaveEL buoy and the mooring system is made to operate in a regular wave climate with waves as high as 12 m, but is designed to survive the estimated “50-year wave” of 25 m.

September 21, 2017