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Poseidon’s Organ By Chief Executive Officer Partner Claus H. Sivager and Project Manager Torben Holm, Birch & Krogboe A/S Introduction Poseidon’s Organ is an invention, an ambition and a specific plan to develop and construct sustainable energy power plants in scale, output and economy surmounting all previous attempts to transform the oceans infinite resources into electricity. One single power plant unit is able to supply 12,500 households with electricity from its position in rough waters. The approximately 230 metres wide triangular power plant unit is capable of resisting conditions 10 kilometres off Portuguese and Irish coasts. Here wind conditions and energy rich waves create perfect conditions for a wave power plant, the first of its kind, conceptualised and designed for industrial energy production. Model tests and measurements clearly indicate Poseidon’s Organ will pull the wave energy out of the experimental research laboratory and put it among future sustainable energy sources. At present, a demonstration plant placed off the Portuguese coast is to verify the fine output and operation stability calculations and model tests already show, thus proving Poseidon’s Organ a very serious investment case – both in terms of future environment and in terms of economic return for a professional investor. Scientific and Technological Aims of the Project Effective Wave Energy Production Poseidon’s Organ is based on two patents and 12 inventions in total. Prototypes in scale 1:25 and 1:50 have through the support of the Danish Energy Board been tested and have shown very promising results in off-shore tanks and wave basins. The project is now ready for a test and demonstration plant at large scale. The idea is to build demonstration plants to identify and surmount possible technical barriers operating a plant at large scale and simultaneously demonstrating potential advan- 10 Offshore Center Denmark Newsletter ON/OFF 10 - May 2007 tages and cost efficiency in energy production based on wave power. The project aims to transfer experience and technology from patents and model tests to the development of a prototype plant. The plant is to be located in the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast. Portugal is chosen due to favourable wave conditions, and because Portugal is a leading European nation within wave power technology. Furthermore Portugal has competent partners with close relations to the European energy market. The output of the demonstration plant is based on key figures, model calculations and mean data deriving from tests carried out. The plant must first and foremost confirm the following: - the ability to utilize at least 35 percent of the inherent energy in waves and transform it into electricity - the ability to produce a total output of 30,000 kW on the demonstration plant including three windmills - the ability to achieve an output on wave power energy equivalent to 28GWh a year when the demonstration plant is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese west coast - the ability to achieve an output from three windmills reaching in total 22GWh a year How does it work? Figure 1 illustrates how waves always hit the front of the plant. The explanation is to be found in the patented anchoring system. The front of the wave power plant is 230 metres wide and consists of 10 floats. The float absorbs the energy inherent in the waves. A double functioning pump then transforms the wave energy into water flow driving a turbine or generator producing electricity. It is the uniqueness of the float that ensures optimal absorption of the energy inherent in the waves. The design of the floats is a result of model calculations and numerous tests. Cost effectiveness/efficiency It is a project goal to develop a cost efficient technology improving competitiveness and acceptance of wave energy in the market for sustainable energy. The construction costs of Poseidon’s Organ are estimated at 41.5 million EUR. Figure 1
The expected lifetime of the demonstration plant is 30 years. Seen over this period of time the electricity production costs deriving from Poseidon’s Organ are calculated at 0.04 EUR/kWh*. It is not possible to compare this figure with other similar systems since information on development and construction costs, lifetime and maintenance concerning other systems is not accessible. The location of the plant has a significant influence on the total output from the plant. The wave power plant can either be placed close to the coast or far offshore. There is no doubt most energy within the waves at open sea, whereas the energy level diminishes the closer the coast. The explanation lies in the waves so called flux – or energy intensity – which diminishes by interaction with the sea bed. The shallower the waters the lower flux. Energy intensity no doubt varies depending on the specific location, as figure 2 shows. If a wave power plant is to be an efficient and competitive alternative to other types of sustainable energy plants, it must be placed at open sea, but at the same time closest possible to the stabile land based consumption net. On the other hand a location at sea demands the plant is designed to resist salt water and the special weather occurring at open sea, including heavy storms. Most wave plant systems presently under development are placed where wave intensity is low precisely because they are not designed to withstand weather conditions in areas with high flux. Poseidon’s Organ lifts wave power to new levels Poseidon’s Organ is founded on the principle of swinging water columns and is designed for a location at open sea where wave energy intensity is largest. Regarding other wave energy systems, Poseidon’s Organ has a significantly higher total output, efficiency and energy production. The main explanation for this is a number of unique developments all contributing to significant improvement in wave power utilization. Poseidon’s Organ especially distinguishes itself by the following: Figure 2 Location at sea The plant is designed for location at open sea with high wave intensity and dimensioned to withstand a so called 100 year wave. The construction is able to resist extreme weather conditions often occurring at open sea. Poseidon’s Organ is equipped with eight large pontoons that in collaboration with the plant floats prevent the construction from sinking. Ye a r l y m e e t i n g Offshore Center Danmark’s yearly meeting will take place at Skarrildhus on September 14, 2007 Members of OCD are encouraged to mark their calendar and meet up for an interesting day. Activities include status from OCD, possibilities to influence OCD’s future activities, presentations from relevant offshore personalities and not least a possibility to network with co-workers in the beautiful surroundings of Skarrildhus. Offshore Center Denmark 11 Newsletter ON/OFF 10 - May 2007
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