Liquid concrete reduces costs and extends the lifespan of wave power plants

Result

The calculations carried out illustrate that it is possible to manufacture the two types of plants in concrete instead of steel, thereby reducing both construction and operating costs and making the plants competitive with energy from offshore wind turbines. The innovation project can form the basis for future wave power plants, where project partners wish to use floating concrete to reduce costs and extend the lifespan of wave power plants.

Challenge

Concrete is a new material in wave power with great potential. Concrete is a cheaper and more flexible material than, for example, steel, which has previously been used in wave energy projects. Concrete is already used in renewable energy, for example as a foundation for offshore wind turbines, but experience and knowledge about the use of concrete in floating structures for wave power have been limited. This includes, for example, a lack of knowledge about feasibility and costs – knowledge that is necessary before the energy sector can proceed with the development of wave energy plants in concrete.

Solution

The innovation project "Concrete for Wave Energy" has investigated the possibilities of using concrete and developed a new guide that can be used in the construction of future wave power plants. The guide is based on analyses of two specific wave power plants with different production designs, both of which use steel. The project outlines the possibilities for developing wave power technology to compete with other renewable energy forms, including the use of reinforced concrete instead of steel structures.