
Rol of the User Cases in the VALID project
- Post by: JRL-ORE
- 20/05/2021
- Comments off
The main objective of the 3-year H2020 VALID project is to develop and validate a new platform (and procedures) for accelerated hybrid testing to be used across the entire wave energy sector. It wants to improve the reliability and survivability (hence, the performance) of the components and subsystems of Wave Energy Converters. This new platform receives the name of VALID Hybrid Test Platform (VHTP). Other sectors (e.g. automotive, aerospace) use similar methodologies and systems but have not been applied to ocean energy (neither wave nor tidal).
The project will produce a first-of-a-kind practical implementation of the novel testing methodology and VALID Hybrid Test Platform on three critical subsystems common to wave energy devices.
The selected user cases represent critical components of WECs: dynamic sealing systems, the electric generator and leakage in hydraulic pumps.
Wave energy developers support the validation of the applicability of the VALID Hybrid Test Platform and methodology for accelerated hybrid testing with their knowledge, in-house models, operational expertise and test rigs.
User Case II: Electric Generator Insulation Failure Mode
In particular, in user case II, the electric generator insulation failure mode will be exemplified on IDOM’s OWC device (MARMOK). This WEC has been extensively demonstrated at the Mutriku shoreline OWC plant (12 months) and, at the BiMEP open-sea testing site (3 winters) within the OPERA project.
Through this user case, the VALID project will validate how the proposed methodology can assist in the understanding and evaluation of failures in generators and power electronics that frequently operate over nominal power. This is the typical operating pattern in OWCs, both floating and fixed. Certainly, the VALID project seeks to analyse the lifetime and subsequently, the design requirements of the electronic equipment and generators working under these set-up and operating conditions.
Tecnalia’s test rig facilities (in use under Marinet and Marinet2 networks) will provide accelerated test data. In addition, the historical data collected along the last years of continuous operation of Mutriku fixed OWC pilot plant will complement the results validation. Moreover, it will add the possibility to run different scenarios under real sea conditions in one of the turbo-generator sets (also part of Marinet 1 and 2 networks) so as to verify their replicability in other testing environments.
Consortium of VALID
The project will draw on expertise from leading research companies (Fundación Tecnalia Research & Innovation, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Biscay Marine Energy Platform SA), academic institutions (Aalborg University and Technical University of Delft), as well as industrial experts across Europe (Corpower Ocean AB; Rina Consulting Spa; Idom Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U; AVL LIST GMBH; Yavin Four Consultants; Wavepiston AS; Aquatera Sustainability Ireland Ltd; and consulting engineer Julia F. Chozas.)
For more information about the Project you can contact us.