VALID will use and adapt novel hybrid testing methodologies frequently used in the automotive industry through three different case studies that are specific to the ocean energy sector. This will transform the fundamental approach to accelerated testing and establish the correlation between the ocean and the lab conditions, allowing for common testing procedures and convergence in technology across Europe.
Current testing procedures in the wave energy sector are not well-balanced. Most laboratory testing has been focused solely on functionality (proof of concept and performance assessment), disregarding other key performance measures such as reliability and survivability. VALID aims to integrate both reliability and survivability testing methods together with relevant data on component failures (from ongoing and recently completed projects) early in the design and testing process.
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.)
Pierre Ingmarsson, Senior Project Manager at RISE said, “This ambitious project will provide a step change in testing and standardization of ocean energy devices and components. It provides an open platform for hybrid and accelerated testing that will ensure the reliability, availability, maintainability and survivability during the lifetime of the technology ensuring cost efficient solutions.”
Micael Henriksen, CEO at Wavepiston said, ”At Wavepiston we are thrilled to be part of this project, which will produce a first-of-its-kind practical implementation of the novel VALID testing methodology. With the use of the hybrid platform and approach for testing, we expect our system to benefit from the accelerated testing of the seals and glider rings on our submerged hydraulic pumps, which is a critical subsystem common to many wave energy devices.”
