GERMANY
In the public sector, around 15 R&D institutes and universities are involved into developing wave, tidal current and osmotic power mainly in the framework of European research projects. The National funding in the framework of the national energy research programme for renewable energies is open to ocean energy research. Up to now, around 10 technology projects related to the development of components and concepts for tidal turbines and wave energy components have been funded.
In July 2015, a consortium consisting of SCHOTTEL HYDRO, Fraunhofer IWES, the Institute for Fluid- and Thermodynamics (IFT) at the University of Siegen, Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) and Potsdam Model Basin (SVA), has started the project “TidalPower” which will run for three years. The aim of the project is to facilitate the deployment of the first prototype of the semi-submersible tidal power platform “TRITON” at the FORCE tidal research centre at the Bay of Fundy, Canada. In 2016, model tests of a 1:17 scale TRITON structure were performed at the Hamburg model basin as part of the project. The TRITON, developed by SCHOTTEL HYDRO subsidiary TidalStream Ltd., carries 40 SCHOTTEL Instream Turbines, reaching a total nominal power output of 2.5 MW. It will be built and delivered by SCHOTTEL HYDRO subsidiary Black Rock Tidal Power. The TRITON hull is currently being manufactured by Aecon Atlantic Industrial shipyard in Nova Scotia, Canada, and Schottel has started with the manufacturing of the 40 SIT 250 turbines. Deployment at FORCE, Bay of Fundy, Canada, is scheduled for 2017.
The Project “Development and Optimization of a Drive Train for Tidal Current Turbines” by ANDRITZ HYDRO with the objective to optimize the HS1000 turbine – a hub with single blade pitch and steel blades - was successfully completed in 2015 after running for more than two and a half years. Details of the project outcome have been published in the final report issued in September 2015. Three turbines of this design have been delivered to MeyGen project.
The EPoSil project, developing electro-active polymers (EAP) based on silicon for power generation was run by Bosch Rexroth with the aim to develop the EAP materials and manufacturing processes from 2012 to 2015. The wave energy application consists of a point absorber with a stack of silicone based electro-active polymer sheets as PTO. A point absorber scale model has been tested at the Hamburg model basin’s wave tank. The public final report was issued in 2016.
The NEMOS GmbH develops a wave energy converter consisting of an elongated floating body, which is braced by three cables to the ocean floor. Excited by the movement of waves, it transmits mechanical energy to the generator by means of a cable. The generator itself is positioned at the tower of a wind turbine above the sea water level. Since August 2015, the NEMOS 1:5 test device at the Nissum Bredning Test Station for Wave Energy, Denmark, operates in full automatic mode, feeding energy into the grid. In November, testing of the first full scale components started at the Institute of Mechanical Handling and Logistics at the University of Stuttgart. In December 2015, a floating service platform was prepared at the port of Hanstholm, waiting for tow-out in 2017 (re-scheduled) to be utilized for anchor drag tests and installation works (source: www.nemos.org).
Wave power developer SINN Power GmbH successfully installed their first wave power module at the Port of Heraklion, Crete, Greece, in late 2015, and has generated power from ocean waves during a long-term field test since May 2016. 12 months after the first commissioning, SINN Power has taken in the wave energy converter module for another round of upgrades. The goal is to maximize energy generation and further improve durability of all components in the ocean environment. The upgrades are expected to reduce costs, increase performance and improve structural stability. Among others, they include new generators with more power output, more efficient power electronics, cost-improved, shock-absorbing generator mounting and improved end-stop buffering to absorb the impact of high waves. After the winter break, the third-generation wave energy converter module will be reinstalled for another round of long-term tests. These advanced tests serve as preparation for the planned installation of the floating wave energy converter array, also planned to take place in the Heraklion area after coordination with the local authorities (source: www.sinnpower.com).
Other German suppliers, such as Bosch Rexroth, Schaeffler, Contitech, Thyssen Krupp, Hunger Hydraulik and Hydac deliver components and parts for a number of ocean energy devices – for wave as well as tidal turbine technologies, mainly in Europe. Certification companies such as the DNV Gl-Group and consultants are contributing to the technology and project development in the sector. This international collaboration demonstrates the technology export opportunities, which exist in ocean energy for the German industry.
