OES Annual Report 2012 - Ocean Energy Systems

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-off units with a total of 240 kW installed capacity, was named “Lifesaver” and deployed in March 2012. Sea
trials with electricity production will continue for a full year before the unit is deployed elsewhere.
Statkraft’s Osmotic Power Prototype
The principle of osmotic power is utilizing the entropy of mixing water with different salt gradients. An
osmotic power plant extracts power from salinity gradients by guiding water with low salt gradient and
water with higher salt concentration into separate chambers, divided by a membrane. The salt molecules
pull the water with low salt gradient through the membrane due to osmotic forces, creating a pressure on
the side with higher salt concentration that can drive a turbine.
Statkraft opened the world’s first osmotic power plant in 2009 in Norway. The operation of the plant proves
that power from salinity gradients can supply a stable base load of renewable energy, with a minimal
ecological footprint. The next big milestone is the decision to build a 2 MW pilot plant. Investment decision
is planned for 2013. Furthermore, the goal is to build a full-scale demonstration plant within 2020.
New Developments
STRAUM
STRAUM is a Norwegian technology developer and supplier of wave, tidal and offshore wind power
systems. STRAUM’s business idea is to develop, design and deliver a unique range of marine renewable
power plants together with strategic partners. The STRAUM technologies are all “in-front” and backed by
strong IP portfolios, and include the following power plant systems: Hydra Tidal- tidal & ocean current
power plants, OWC Power- wave power plant and WindSea Floater/WindSea Jacket - floating and
fixed offshore wind power plants.
The Hydra Tidal floating ocean energy system is one of a very few full-scale tidal energy plants built and
deployed in the world. STRAUM is planning to re-deploy the Morild II tidal prototype that at the moment
is at a shipyard for repair and maintenance. The business idea of oscillating water column (OWC) power is
to develop and commercialize a wave power concept based on the OWC principle . For this technology,
STRAUM is currently performing a small scale testing programme both for the wave chamber and the
air turbine. WindSea FloaterTM is a new concept for offshore wind turbine platforms, which consists of
a floating platform supporting three windmills. STRAUM is looking for project financing for a large scale
prototype test to be able to verify the results from small scale testing. The WindSea JacketTM concept
distinguishes itself by cost effective fabrication, transport and installation. The technology is based on a
low weight modularized jacket. Currently STRAUM is talking to end users and EPC contractors to qualify
the technology for commercial offshore wind projects.
STRAUM is owned by Ard, a privately owned and independent industrial investment company with long
traditions in Norwegian industrial development, oil & gas and hydro power. Through its owner STRAUM has
strong ties and alliances to renowned technology provider such as NLI and Rainpower, leading suppliers
to the oil & gas and hydro power markets respectively. In 2012, STRAUM has been chosen by the Global
Cleantech Cluster Association (GCCA) as a Later Stage Award Top 30 finalist for their in front tidal and
hydro power technologies. For further information on STRAUM, please visit www.straumgroup.com
Havkraft AS
Havkraft is a Norwegian technology company specialized in onshore, nearshore and offshore installations
for the utilization of wave energy for wave damping and power production, with both low-tech and hightech
solutions for all markets. The company shareholders are founder and inventor Geir Arne Solheim and
Fjord Invest. Havkraft cooperates amongst others with Dr. Ing. Karl Christian Strømsem. Tests conducted
in 2012 show that the H-WEC (Havkraft Wave Energy Converter) is a perfect wave energy converter, with
the potential to capture the complete energy field and to utilize all the natural frequencies in the waves.
This high efficiency combined with a simple construction - with no movable parts in contact with sea - is an
improved and patented OWC device with low OPEX and CAPEX. A large scale test programme has started
in 2012 with support from Innovation Norway and co-investors.
ANNUAL
REPORT 2012