land-based facilities and in-situ testing sites for ocean engineering

Marine Research Infrastructures updated overview,

European integration and vision of the future Land-based facilities and in-situ testing sites for ocean engineering

WP 6 - Task 6. 4

D 6.4.1 _5

October 2012

Author: IFREMER (France)

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Grant Agreement n° 249552

Acronym: SEAS-ERA

Title: Marine Research Infrastructures updated overview, European integration

and vision of the future – Annex 1 Atlantic region : D 6.4_5 Land-based facilities and

in-situ testing sites for ocean engineering

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS STATEMENT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION, WHICH IS PROPRIETARY OF THE SEAS-ERA CONSORTIUM. NEITHER THIS DOCUMENT

NOR THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE USED, DUPLICATED OR COMMUNICATED BY ANY MEANS TO ANY THIRD

PARTY, IN WHOLE OR IN PARTS, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE SEAS-ERA COORDINATOR. THIS RESTRICTION

LEGEND SHALL NOT BE ALTERED OR OBLITERATED ON OR FROM THIS DOCUMENT.

WP 6: Atlantic region

Task 6.4: Infrastructures in the Atlantic region

Task Leader/Author: J-F Masset, IFREMER

Milestone N°: 6.4.1

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Table of content

1. Introduction

2. Land-based facilities and in-situ testing sites for ocean engineering and ocean observation

support

2.1 Landscape in Atlantic region, at a glance

2.2 Wave basins, per country

2.3 Water circulation flumes, per country

2.4 Other land-based testing facilities, per country

2.5 In-situ test sites, per country

3. European integration and vision of the future

3.1 Major European projects

3.2 Vision of the future

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1. Introduction

A great variety of land-based facilities is necessary for ocean engineering purpose as for ocean observation

support : they are the essential testing facilities for design, preparation and qualification of the sea/sub-

sea sensors, instrumentation systems, mobile platforms and underwater vehicles before their operational

deployment at sea. This includes :

o Deep wave basins, wave flumes

o Water circulation canal,

o Marine instrumentation testing facilities,

o Material behaviour in sea water testing laboratories,

o Marine sensors calibration laboratories

o In-situ testing sites

A major role in the quality assurance process, for qualification of all the equipment before at sea

deployment.

A major role to test at small scale new concepts of offshore platforms and of marine renewable energies

devices.

Facilities listed include :

2D /3D wave basins, 2D wave flumes

Water circulation flumes

Various testing facilities for ocean and coastal engineering, for ocean/atmosphere interface studies

In-situ test sites for marine renewable energy system.

Not included :

Towing tanks for ship models, without wave generation

Cavitation tunnels for ship propeller

Hydraulic testing facilities not linked with coastal engineering

Information sources :

FP7 MARINET web site

FP7 HYDRALAB IV web site

Other hydrodynamic and ocean engineering facilities web sites

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2. Land-based facilities and in-situ testing sites for ocean engineering

and ocean observation support

2.1 Landscape in Atlantic region, at a glance :

Country Wave basins or

flumes

Water circulation

flumes

Other land-based

facilities

In-situ test sites

Norway 1 1 2

Denmark 3 1 1

Germany 1 1 2 1

Netherlands 4 3 1

UK 4 2 3

Ireland 1 2

France 23 3 6

Spain 17 2 1

Portugal 1

2.2 Wave basins, per country

Norway :

MARINTEK, Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute, Trondheim :

The Ocean Basin at MARINTEK is one of the largest wave basins in the world. The Basin is 50 m wide and 80

m long. It is equipped with two wavemakers that can generate wave conditions from two directions normal

to each other or in combined angles. The wave systems are documented to reproduce the full scale wave

conditions in an excellent manner. The wide extension of the Basin makes it suitable to test most kinds of

actual marine systems in large scale ratios which secures the correctness of the measurements and reduces

scale effects to a minimum. The depth of the Basin is 10 m, which places the Basin among the deepest in the

world. The large depth allows for large model scale ratio testing of most kinds of deep water applications.

The basin floor is movable and can be positioned at the desired depth for the testing, thus both deep and

shallow water tests can be offered. At zero depth the floor facilitates easy and efficient access for test set-up

and rigging. Its total capabilities makes it unique for offering large scale facility testing opportunities for

users with interests in hydrodynamic aspects.

The wavemaker along the 50 m side is a dual flap, hydraulically operated unit for generating of longcrested

regular and irregular waves. Maximum wave heights are nearly 0.9 m referring to regular waves. Irregular

waves can have up to 0.5 m significant wave height depending on the peak period. The other wavemaker,

fitted along the 80 m side of the Basin, consists of altogether 144 individually controlled wave flaps. This unit

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can generate short-crested seas within a wide range of directional distributions of the energy. Its maximum

wave height is about 0.20 m depending on the peak period. The two wavemakers can be operated

simultaneously to generate waves in many combinations.

The system to generate a current in the basin is based on pumping water around the adjustable floor. The

pumping is based on high pressure pumps and ejector nozzles fitted along the walls close to the bottom of

the Basin. The current profile will typically decrease linearily from the specified value at the surface to about

one third of this value at the level of the adjustable floor. The maximum achievable current velocity depends

on the actual position of the floor. For shallow positions a current velocity of up to 0.3 m/s can be achieved.

Wind is normally modelled using portable fan batteries blowing directly at the models to be tested. Gust

spectra can be generated based on the given specifications, which is in combination with the wave and

current generation one of very few in Europe.

Marintek generally conduct marine research and development within marine hydrodynamics and ocean

engineering for the marine industry, the oil and gas industry, and national and international authorities, as

well as activities connected university studies. Recently, activities within the testing of marine renewable

energy devices (waves, wind, current) have also been increasing.

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Denmark :

DHI, Hørsholm

The offshore wave basin at DHI is a large test facility

where realistic sea waves can be generated. The

facility is 30 m wide, 20 m long, and has an overall

water depth of 3 m with a deep central pit with 12m

depth. Realistic multi-directional (3D) waves can be

generated using the 60-flap wave maker, which also

can generate regular and irregular long-crested

waves. For irregular waves, stochastic as well as

deterministic, reproduction is possible. In addition to

the wave generation capabilities, steady current and

wind loading is available in the installation. The

facility is primarily used for experiments of water and

structure interaction with focus on moored floating

structures and deep water fixed structures.

The shallow water multi-directional wave basin is

equipped with a 3D wave maker with unique wave

generating and wave absorbing characteristics,

allowing e.g. for sophisticated modeling of coastal

engineering problems. Conventional type 2D wave

makers and, steady current and wind loading is

available in this installation. All necessary basic

peripherals such as instruments, amplifiers, and

computers for wave maker control and data logging

are available at both installations. The shallow water

basin is designed for flexible use to support research

on water and structure interaction (e.g. breakwaters

and dikes), water and environment (e.g. dispersion

processes) and water and sediment (scour processes

around coastal structures).

The experimental installations of DHI are today part of a large technological infrastructure which has been

actively engaged in developing hydrodynamic modelling tools for planning and design of coastal, offshore

and river structures and assessment of their impact on the marine environment.

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Aalborg Deep water wave basin, Aalborg University, www.civil.aau.dk

The dimensions of the basin are 9 meter width, 16

meter long and 1.s meter deep. The basin has a pit so

moorings can be tested effectively. The basin has a

capability to add in currents.

The wave maker makes it possible to generate

irregular short crested waves. Long wave

compensation and active absorption are offered in

case of long crested waves. The basin is

highlyinstrumented with several wave gauges, velocity

meters and motion meters among the instruments.

The basin has two moveable bridges making it easy to

access and even fasten devices.

The basin and the operators are recognised for

itsexpertise in testing energy production and

survivability of ocean energy devices. More than 40

different devices have been tested over the last 10

years.

The basin offers researchers the possibility to assess

many different aspect of the hydraulic behaviour of

their device under development i.e. overtopping,

movements, forces, survivability etc.

Germany :

Large Wave Flume (GWK) - FZK- LUH (Forschungszentrum Küste - Leibniz Universität Hannover)

www.fzk.uni-hannover.de

With 309 m length, 5 m width and 7 m depth it is considered to be the largest facility of its kind world-wide.

The huge dimensions of the GWK are necessary to perform unique large-scale experiments for the

investigation of certain phenomena that cannot be arbitrarily downscaled. Results from the large-scale

experiments fill the knowledge gaps of small-scale experiments and provide an ideal basis for the

development or validation of theoretical approaches and numerical models in coastal and ocean

engineering.

The piston type wavemaker of the GWK has a maximum stroke of 4.2 m and is equipped with an active wave

absorption system to avoid unwanted re-reflections of waves at the wave paddle. The standard

implementation allows for the generation of regular waves, wave spectra, wave packets (freak waves) and

solitary waves (tsunami simulation). At a maximum water depth of 5 m the maximum wave height for

regular waves is 2.0 m and for wave spectra 1.3 m significant wave height.

The GWK represents a unique installation for European development of new integrated strategies to capture

all processes associated with wave-induced seabed-structure interactions, wave-seabed interactions,

dynamic structure-foundation interactions, wave-induced sediment transport and morphological changes.

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The following list should give a small impression on the most interesting scientific highlights recently

obtained by researchers using the FZK research infrastructure: Sea dykes, Grass dykes, Sea walls,

Breakwaters, Sediment transport, Scourat cylinders

Wave maker Revetment Cylindrical structure Sea wall

Netherlands :

MARIN Offshore basin

Dimensions : 45 m 36 m 10.2 m. A pit with an extra depth of 20 m

and a diameter of 5 m gives the opportunity to install systems up to 3000

m depth (prototype). The basin is mainly designed for testing models of

offshore structures which are fixed, moored or controlled by dynamic

positioning, in waves, wind and current.

Carriage speed up to 3.2 m/s

Wave generators

Wind generation, a free moving and positionable platform of 24 m

width, equipped with electrical fans is available.

Current : can be simulated with all kinds of profiles (hurricane, deep

water current etc). Divided over the water depth of 10.2 m, six layers of

culverts, each equipped with a pump, are installed.

Movable floor : The concrete movable floor has dimensions of 45 36 m

and a height of 1.75 m.

Stichting Deltares (locations : Delft, Marknesse) :

Deltares (merged from Delft Hydraulics and GeoDelft) offers an infrastructure of 6 unique experimental

installations in the field of environmental, hydraulic, geotechnical and morphological research. This meets

the increasing demand from researchers that need different installations for their research to achieve

scientific progress in the most complex areas of hydraulic research. The experimental installations offered by

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Deltares are rare and costly, and some are even unique in that they do not exist elsewhere in Europe (or

even in the world). They offer the possibility of hydraulic research at a particularly large scale, high accuracy

and with special features.

The installations are:

Delta Flume. The Flume is 240 m long, 5 m wide and 7 m

deep and can generate regular or irregular waves up to a

height of 2.5 m. The flume can be used for large scale

experiments, to minimize scale effects. This installation is

unique because of its size in combination with a second-

order wave steering system and active re-reflection

compensation for short waves and long waves.

Vinjé Basin. The 50 m wide and 50 m long Vinjé Basin is a

unique installation for its capability of generating both

regular (periodic) and irregular (random) swell or short-

crested waves propagating at any direction within -50o to

+50o and reproducing directional spreading at the same

time. The directional wave absorbing characteristics of the

wave boards on 2 sides of the basin perpendicular to each

other enables an optimum control of the wave conditions

in the basin.

Schelde Flume. The 110 m long and 1.2 m deep flume is

equipped with a wave board capable of generating

second-order waves and it has a unique software-

controlled wave damping system. The flume is also

equipped to study wave-current interaction and has active

wave adsorption at the flume end. Its wave board steering

system is unique in Europe for its accuracy and versatility.

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UK :

Narec Marine Test Site / Large Scale Wave Flume, New and Renewable Energy Centre Ltd, Blyth,

http://narec.co.uk

The Marine Test Site consists of 3 dry docks, the largest of

which is 125m long, 25m wide and 8m deep. The facility

contains a wave flume has the following characteristics;

· 60m long, 5m wide 7m deep

· Edinburgh designs multi paddle wave maker

· Peak period of 3.25s and Hmax of 1.0m

· Monochromatic, and spectral waves

· NI Labview Data Acquisition System

· Client office space

· Sea water

· Sited within a converted dry dock

Typical Testing Activities :

· Wave Energy Extraction Prototype testing (Power Take

Off systems, Hydrodynamic performance, extreme seas

survivability, etc)

· Subsea foundation performance testing (piling techniques

and stability, anchoring, etc)

· Cable and pipeline laying equipment trials and Trenching

· Prototype scale subsea deployment and assembly trails

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Acre Road Wave and Tow Tank, Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, http://www.strath.ac.uk/NA-ME

The University of Strathclyde’s tow, flow, wave and wind test

facilities comprise a tank with working dimensions of 76m x 4.6m

x 2.5m, equipped with a towing carriage. The carriage has a

computercontrolled

digital drive giving a maximum speed of 5m/s and can be driven

at steady and unsteady speeds with acceleration of up to 1.0

m/s2. The carriage is equipped with a sub-carriage intended for

highly unsteady towing applications; this is capable of oscillation

with strokes up to +/- 0.5m, speed up to 2m and acceleration up

to 20 m/s2.

The absorbing wavemakers are computer-controlled four-flap

units generating regular or irregular waves 0.5m – 1.2m height,

subject to water depth, and can be moved vertically for variable-

waterdepth.

This facility accommodates the testing of rotors up to 1.2m in

diameter. The recirculation flume is 5m in length and has a

working square section 1.5m by 1.5m in width and depth

respectively and a flow rate up to 1.5 m/s with flow straightening

immediately before the working section. This facilitates the

testing of rotor sytems up to a diameter of 0.55m The wind

tunnel is a recirculation, open jet with a cylindrical working

section which is 1.6m in diameter and 4m in length.

The working velocities range from 0.2m/s – 25m/s and flow

straightening is applied prior to the working area. This enable the

testing of foil sections of up to 1m in length to be undertaken.

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The Edinburgh Curved Wave Tank, The University of Edinburgh, www.ed.ac.uk

The forty-eight paddle ‘curved’ tank was built in 2002 as a replacement

for the original eighty-nine paddle multi-directional ‘wide’ tank of 1977.

It was designed for model tests at around onehundredth scale. In plan,

the tank is built in the shape of a six-metre by twelve-metre right-

angled

triangle with the hypotenuse side replaced by a ninety-degree arc of a

circle made up of forty-eight wave flaps. The water depth is 1.2 metres,

which allows staff to work in waders. By avoiding parallel walls, the

unusual plan-form of the tank reduces the possibility of long-period

hard-to-kill seiche waves. The tank is capable of generating a wide

range of regular and pseudo random waves using recently redeveloped

control software.

The tank can be equipped, if required, with a portable array of nozzles

which allows inclusion of limited current capabilities

Edinburgh staff experience in multidirectional wave modelling extends

back to the 1970s, ranging from wave system model testing to

fundamental stochastic and non linear analysis. Recently novel

calibration dynamic calibration techniques have been added to the

capabilities, as have optical measuring techniques which are not subject

to the limitations of traditional immersion gauges when measuring non

linear waves. Similarly, recent work has greatly enhanced the capability

of the support team to robustly measure directional wave spectra.

Services currently offered by the infrastructure:

The size of the facility is such that it allows rapid use for small scale

experiments in a highly controllable, multidirectional wave

environment.

Shallow Water Wave Tank, Portaferry, Queen’s University Belfast, www.qub.ac.uk/research-

centres/eerc/ResearchThemes/CoastalandHydraulicEngineeringMRE/

The Hydraulic and Coastal Engineering group is part of the School

of Planning Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queen’s

University Belfast. The research group is internationally renowned

for research in wave power, fast ship wash, saline intrusion,

coastal modelling and wave impacts.

Current research is focussed on development of wave and tidal

energy devices through numerical and physical modelling and full

scale monitoring.

The shallow water wave tank is situated at the Marine Laboratory

in Portaferry and has full vehicular access.

Tank features include.

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• 18m long, 16m wide, 1.2m side walls

• Adjustable sloping floor with large passive absorbers along

shallow end

• 24 no. (0.6m x 0.5m) top hinged sector carrier wave paddles

which may be raised / lowered

in order to vary the water level in the tank.

• Monochromatic and random seas generation between 0.4 and

1.4 Hz and up to 0.25m height in deep section

• Paddles may be arranged linearly or in a semi circle to produce

fully directional seas.

• Cross current capability with a maximum velocity of 0.25m/s

• Overhead gantry for movement of materials & models up to

0.5t

• Extensive multichannel data acquisition system.

Ireland :

HMRC Ocean Wave Basin, University College Cork, http://hmrc.ucc.ie

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The centre is a semiautonomous unit with the Department of Civil Engineering and the Environment in UCC.

With the Ocean Wave Basin, HMRC have the only facilities, in Ireland, for testing engineering projects in the

marine environment at small scale. The specifications of the Basin are as follows :

o 25m long, 18m wide 1m deep

o 40 flap type wedge shaped aluminium paddles

o Peak period of 2.5s and Hs of 0.18m

o Directional waves can be produced and the system has active absorption

o Monochromatic, panchromatic and recorded time series, long and short crested waves

o Non-contact 6 DOF motion capture camera system

o Active control NI Labview Data Acquisition System

o Multiple Sensors array

France :

Ecole Centrale de Nantes :

Hydrodynamic and Ocean Engineering Tank, Ecole Centrale de

Nantes

http://www.ec-nantes.fr/version-

francaise/recherche/laboratoires/laboratoire-de-mecanique-des-

fluides-91830.kjsp?RH=ZYZYZYZYZYZYZYZYZYZYZY

Operator : Hydrodynamic and Ocean Engineering team , Fluid

Mechanics Laboratory,

Dimensions : 50 m length, 30 m width and 5 meters depth,

The wave maker is composed of 48 independent flaps, making

possible the generation of high amplitude multidirectional sea

states. A remote 6 dof motion capture system is available to

measure the motion of any buoy freely floating in the tank. All of

this makes this tank very suitable for production and survivability

tests of model of wave energy converters.

Towing tank with wave generation, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes

Length: 148 m

Width: 4.97 m

Max Depth: 3 m

Carriage Speed: 10m/s

Maximum Height : Hs = 0.6 regular/irregular

Period: 0.5 < T < 5 sec

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Wave basin, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes

Length: 19.56 m

Width: 9.4 m

Max Depth: 2 m


Period: 0.5 < T < 3.3 sec

Two Dimensional Wave Tank, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes

Length: 40 m

Width: 0.5 m

Max Depth: 1 m


Period: T >0.7 sec

IFREMER

Wave Basin, IFREMER, Brest

http://www.ifremer.fr/metri/pages_metri/infrastructure/brest_basin.htm

Operator : Ifremer

Dimensions : 50 m long and 12.5 m wide, 20 m deep in the first quarter of

its length and 10 m deep in the others three quarters. It’s filled with

treated sea-water.

An hydraulic equipment is available to generate regular and irregular

waves (period range: [1s ; 3.5s] ; maximum peak-trough: 55cm, Hs 30 cm).

A towing carriage can be driven at a constant or variable speed (e.g.

according to a sinusoidal motion) up to 1.5 m/s.

Services currently offered by the infrastructure:

These facilities provide the possibility to carry out free surface

hydrodynamic and seakeeping tests or hydrodynamic tests in translatory

motion. Its unusually large depth allows to test scale models submitted to

a large amplitude vertical motion (typically +/- 2m), without bottom or

free-surface interference. For the same reason, flexible slender

structures, such as cables or anchor lines models, can be tested at a

convenient scale (typically 1/10).

The basin is able to support a varied range of research activities: tests and

studies can be carried out on different subjects such as marine

hydrodynamics, sub-marine acoustics, underwater intervention vehicles

and marine energy convertors.

Wave basin with a wave energy

converter under testing

Wave flume, IFREMER, Brest

Length: 50 m

Width: 4 m

Max Depth: 2.5 m

Carriage Speed: 4.5m/s

Maximum Height Type: H = 0.35 regular

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Bassin d'Essais des Carenes, Val de Reuil

Towing Tank No. 2 with wave generation

Length: 155 m

Width: 8 m

Max Depth: 2 m


Maximum Height Type: Hs = 0.3 regular/irregular

Towing Tank No. 3 with wave generation

Length: 220 m

Width: 13 m

Max Depth: 4 m


Maximum Height Type: Hs = 0.5 regular/irregular

Small Seakeeping Tank

Length: 30 m

Width: 7 m

Max Depth: 2.4 m

Maximum Height Type: regular

LNHE, Chatou

Multi directional wave basin

Length: 50 m

Width: 30 m

Max Depth: 0.8 m

Surface: 1500 m²


Velocity / Discharge: 1.5 m3/s

Maximum Height Type: Hs = 0.4 irregular

Wave basin

Length: 33 m

Width: 28 m

Max Depth: 0.45 m

Carriage Speed: 0.5m/s


Maximum Height : Hs = 0.2 irregular

Sogreah, Pont de Claix

Hydraulic laboratories for coastal engineering

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http://www.arteliagroup.com/en/hydraulics-laboratory/hydraulics-laboratory

Stability wave basin

Length: 30 m

Width: 24 m

Max Depth: 1.6 m

Maximum Height : H1/3 = 0.22 random waves

Multidirectional wave basin

Length: 22.5 m

Width: 30 m

Max Depth: 1 m

Maximum Height : H1/3 = 0.25 multidirectional

Wave flume 1

Length: 41 m

Width: 1 m

Max Depth: 1.4 m


Wave flume 2

Length: 41 m

Width: 2.4 m

Max Depth: 1.6 m


Oceanide, Toulon-La Seyne sur mer

BGO FIRST ocean and coastal engineering basin, Toulon

http://www.oceanide.net/BGO_ENG.html

Basin dimensions: Length : 40 m Width : 16m Depth of water :

0 to 5 m Central well : 10 m of depth, 5 m of diameter

Waves generation : Type : Regular or irregular (PM, Jonswap

Maximum height : 0.8 m Periods : 0.6 s à 4 s

Current generation : up to 1.2m/s for a depth of 1m

Wind generation : 5 m/s, 0 to 360 deg

Movable floor : 0 to 5 m Inclination :+/- 4 deg

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Wave tank

http://www.oceanide.net/Cuve_ENG.html

Dimensions : Length : 27 m Width : 12m Depth : 0 to 1 m

Waves : Types : regular or irregular (PM, Jonswap Max height

(crest to trough) : 0.5 m Period : from 0.6 s to 3 s

Floor : Mobile floor representing the bathymetry of the site

Test Flume

http://www.oceanide.net/Canal_ENG.html

Basin : Length : 24 m Width : 1m Depth : from 0 to 1.5 m

Waves : Types : regular or irregular (PM, Jonswap Max height

(crest to trough) : 0.5 m Period : from 0.6 s to 3 s

Floor : Mobile floor representing the bathymetry of the site

Wave channel, IRPHE, Marseille

L 18 m, Width 0.65 m et height 1.5 m,

Fully windowed and surelevated

Isitv, Univ. Toulon-Var, Toulon

Wave basin,

Length: 10 m

Width: 2.7 m

Max Depth: 1 m

Maximum Height : irregular, max 0.20

Wave flume

Length: 10 m

Width: 0.3 m

Max Depth: 0.5 m

Maximum Height : regular

Université de Caen

Wave flume Blue

Length: 23 m

Width: 0.8 m

20

Max Depth: 1 m


Wave flume Orange

Length: 18 m

Width: 0.5 m

Max Depth: 0.5 m

Velocity / Discharge: 0.8 m/s

Maximum Height : H = 0.2 regular

Spain :

2D Wave flume, CIEMLAB (Canal d’Investigació i Experimentació

Marítima), UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) Barcelona

http://ciemlab.upc.edu/facilities/ciem-1/tripticcanalang.pdf

Dimensions : 100 m length, 3 m width and 5 m depth

The usual working scales are between 1:20 and 1:2, or even prototype

scale.

Windows and an optical test section along the flume offer a unique

capability for non-intrusive optical observations for a wide range of

experimental arrangements close to real scale.

Wave generation : controlled wave generation is achieved by a wedge-

type wave paddle, particularly suited for intermediate depth waves.

Maximum Height : Hs = 0.80 irregular/ Hs = 1.5 regular

Period: 1.5s < T < 9.5s

A PC-based active absorption system, allows running tests for wave series

as long as required without the effect of spurious model induced

reflections. This is an essential feature for testing highly-reflective

structures (such as surface-piercing structures) or for the analysis of

equilibrium shapes in beach profiles (particularly for long-duration

accretive sequences).

Usual applications :

1. Structural stability analyses

2. Structure functional-hydrodynamic analyses (run-up, run-down, overtopping, reflection and transmission).

3. Beach profile morphodynamics.

4. Wave beach structure interactions (scouring, fluxes through and above the structure, modified profile

morphodynamics).

5. Wave hydrodynamics.

6. Floating structures such as fish cages, floating breakwaters, buoys, energy extracting devices …

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INHA (Applied Hydrodynamics Institute), Barcelona

Private laboratory for hydraulic test of port and coastal engineering. http://www.inha.es/en/medios-

materiales

Three dimensional wave basin

Dimensions: 27.6x22.5x1.2 metres

Some of the typical test carried out in the wave basin are:

• Breakwater and marine structure stability and overtopping.

• 3D wave forces, pressures and movements.

• Port resonance and long waves.

• Moored ship response.

• Sea bed and coastal evolution.

Two dimensional wave flume

Dimensions: 52.0x1.8x2.0 metres.

The type of test that are usually performed in the wave flume are

as follows:

• 2D stability and overtopping of breakwaters and marine

structures.

• 2D wave forces, pressures and motions.

• Analysis of wavw reflection and transmission.

• Beach profile evolution.

• Motions and stability analysis of floating structures.

Politec. Univ.Valencia :

Wave channel 1.2 m width

Length: 30 m

Width: 1.2 m

Max Depth: 1.2 m

Maximum Height Type: Hs = 0.40 irregular

Wave Channel with wind generation capabilities up to 10 m/s

Wave tank 15 x 1.5 m

Length: 15 m

Width: 7.5 m

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Max Depth: 0.5 m

Surface: 112.5 m²


Seakeeping tank, CEHIPAR, Madrid

http://www.cehipar.es/instalaciones/dinamicabuque/

The basin is 150 m long, 30 m wide and 5 m deep. Not far

from the wave generator the tank has a square (10x10)

sectional pit of 5 m additional depth, thus achieving total

depth of 10 m. Carriage speed : 5 m/s.

Types of waves generated:

- Longitudinal and oblique regular waves of lengths between 1

and 15 m and heights up to 0.9 m. Oblique waves ± 45 º.

- Long and short-crested irregular waves of significant heights up to 0.4 m.

- Standard and arbitrary spectra.

- Capacity to reproduce group spectra.

- Episodic waves.

CEPYC (Studies centre for harbours and coasts) -CEDEX, Madrid

http://lola.cedex.es/CEPYC/info/inst/ensa/nave/nave.html

Large wave channel

Length: 90 m

Width: 3.6 m

Max Depth: 5 m

Maximum Height Hmax = 1.6 regular; Hs = 1.0 Irregular

Wave channel

Length: 36 m

Width: 3 m

Max Depth: 1.5 m


Partially windowed

Wave channel

Length: 45 m

Width: 6.5 m

Max Depth: 2 m

Maximum Height : Hs = 0.40 - 0.50 irregular

Wave channel

Length: 20 m

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Width: 1.2 m

Max Depth: 0.8 m


Partially windowed

Wave channel

Length: 100 m

Width: 1 m

Max Depth: 1.5 m


Multidirectional wave tank

Length: 26 m

Width: 34 m

Max Depth: 1.6 m



Large wave channel, Politec. Univ.Coruńa, Coruńa,

Length: 70 m

Width: 3 m

Max Depth: 3 m


Active Reflection Absorption System

CEHINAV (Grupo de Investigación del Canal de Ensayos Hidrodinámicos) / ETSIN (Higher Technical School

of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering) - UPM (Politec. Univ. of Madrid)

Towing/Seakeeping tank :

Dimensions of 56 meters in length, 3.8m. wide, and 2.2m. of depth, its length was later increased to 100m.

carraige speed : 4,5 m/s.

It was projected in order that students of naval architecture would be put in contact with the methods of

experimentation in hydrodynamics. In addition to academic labour it is also used for the optimization of ship

hull design and forward resistance asessment.

Wave generator : generate regular waves of up to 0.2m height and periods of waves ranging form 0.5 to 2

seconds. With these waves it is possible to make studies of seakeeping of ships, mainly with forward and

stern seas.

Wave tank 32 x 34 m, Politec. Univ.Coruńa

Length: 32 m

24

Width: 34 m

Max Depth: 1.1 m

Velocity / Discharge: 300 l/s


Cantabria Univ. Santander

Wave tank 28.4 x 8.5 m

http://www.ihcantabria.com/WebIH/en/facilities/laboratories/multi_di

rectional_wave_tank.aspx

Length: 28.4 m

Width: 8.5 m

Max Depth: 1.2 m

Surface: 241.4 m²

Maximum Height : Hs = 0.3

Period: Tmax < 2s

Wave channel 2.0 m width

http://www.ihcantabria.com/WebIH/en/facilities/laboratories/wave_fl

ume.aspx

Length: 68.9 m

Width: 2 m

Max Depth: 2 m

Maximum Height : Hmax = 0.5 (interacting with current Hmax = 0.25)

Period: Tmax < 2.5s

Windowed 20 m

2.3 Water circulation flumes, per country

Norway :

CWT (Circulation Water Tunnel)

Operated by the Department of Marine Technology (NTNU), in

co-operation with MARINTEK.

http://www.sintef.no/home/MARINTEK/Laboratories/Circulating-

Water-Tunnel/

Test facility dedicated to optical measurement techniques and

flow visualization. The tank's measurement section is completely

transparent and can be operated either with a free surface or the

lid closed. Laser-based techniques like PIV (Particle Image

Velocimetry) and LDV (Laser Doppler Velocimetry) allow non-

intrusive measurements of instantaneous 3D flow fields at high

temporal and spatial resolutions.

25

Test section: 2,50 x 0,61 x 0,61 m

Low turbulence level of 1% of free stream velocity.

Flow speed from 0,03 to 1 m/s. Also varying flow speed.

Fixed or free surface

Denmark :

Current Flume with a Carriage, DTU, Kgs. Lyngby, http://www.mek.dtu.dk/

The infrastructure is a medium-scale open current flume with dimensions 35 m (length), 3.0 m (width) and

1.0 m (depth). Water currents can be run with a maximum velocity of 1.5 m/s. The facility has a carriage

which facilitates to tow model structures with a maximum velocity of 2.1 m/s, enabling the flume to be used

as a towing tank. The carriage has dimensions of 3 m by 3 m (plan view). The same carriage (with a model

structure mounted onto the carriage) can be used to generate an oscillatory motion around the structure

model, with a maximum velocity of about 1.2-1.3 m/s, depending on the stroke of the motion. In this way,

wave-induced oscillatory flow around structures is simulated by moving the carriage back and forth in

otherwise still water. This proves extremely useful to generate large-amplitude oscillatory motions which

cannot be achieved in small- and medium-scale wave flumes. With this facility, flow around and forces on

cylindrical structures of dimensions of up to 0.5 m (in some instances, even larger) and subjected to steady

current and/or waves can be studied, e.g. offshore wind turbine foundations/towers, bridge piers, marine

pipelines, etc.

Services and type of research offered by the infrastructure :

· “Towing-tank” experiments of structure models such as offshore wind turbine towers / foundations

· Calibration of measuring instruments using the carriage facility up to 2.1 m/s velocity

· Current experiments with velocities up to 1.5 m/s, or using the carriage facility up to 2.1 m/s

· Wave-induced oscillatory flow experiments with velocities of up to 1.2-1.3 m/s

· Experiments on flow around structures including flow visualization and flow velocity measurements

· Pressure and force measurements on structure models

26

Germany :

Turbine Test rigs, University of Stuttgart, www.ihs.uni-stuttgart.de

The institute has a variable low head turbine test rig with an open

channel. This can be used for the investigation of LH-turbines for

tidal power plants as well as for turbines used in overtopping

wave energy devices. The applicable runner diameter for the

model turbines is approximately up to 300 mm. In addition in the

open channel small scale models of tidal current turbines can be

analysed. The test rig is equipped with the necessary sensors for

performance and efficiency measurements, also instrumentations

for flow measurements are available.

The performance tests can be carried out in steady state or in an

active controlled dynamic operation scheme.

27

2.4 Other land-based testing facilities, per country

(excluding towing tanks, cavitation tunnels, sloshing labs and other facilities only dedicated to ship design)

Norway :

Marine Structures Laboratory

Operated by MARINTEK

http://www.sintef.no/home/MARINTEK/Laboratories/Marine-

Structures-Laboratory/

The main activities in the laboratory are the testing of

structures, structural components and materials. Typical

problems involve fatigue testing, ultimate strength and

collapse testing. Experimental work is often combined with

analytical or numerical analysis.

Actuators: A range of servo hydraulic actuators for static and

dynamic testing, from 100 kN load capacity to a maximum

load/stroke of 4000 kN/1000 mm.

Control system: Several computerized systems for multi

actuator control, fatigue load simulation, data logging with

on-line reduction and analysis.

Small scale testing: Modular frame system which can be built

to accommodate specimens and structural models with a

wide range of shapes and sizes, under un axial or multi axial

loading, and with load capacities up to 4000 kN.

Full scale testing: Dynamic test rigs for static, dynamic and

fatigue testing of slender marine structures. The dimension of

the test specimen are typically15m flange to flange, and

applied loads include internal pressure, dynamic bending

(±30°) and tension (3000 kN).

28

NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Trondheim

Full-scale wind measurement station, to study wind

conditions relevant for offshore wind power

production.

Test facility: * Two 100 meter masts * Two 45 meter

masts * GILL ultrasonic anemometers * Fully equipped

test station * Close to 200 kW 30m dia wind turbine *

LIDAR instrument * Buoy for wave and current

measurement * Temperature sensors

http://www.ntnu.no/ept/english

Germany :

HSVA, Arctic Technology Laboratory (ARCTECLAB), Hambourg, www.hsva.de

HSVA has developed a detailed understanding of the intricate problems in ship and offshore structure

hydrodynamics, ice engineering and Arctic environmental technology. Modern and large unique test

installations, numerical methods and tests in full scale are used to gain deeper insight into physical

phenomena of hydrodynamics, ice mechanics and offshore structures in ice. The ARCTECLAB installation is

part of a larger ensemble of hydrodynamic installations (e.g. large towing tank, hydrodynamic cavitation

tunnel) and workshops at HSVA. The ARCTECLAB comprizes a large ice tank associated with an Arctic

environmental basin and cooling chambers.

The main feature is the 78 m long, 10 m wide and 2.5 m deep ice model

tank . At the end of the basin a 12 m long, 10 m wide and 5 m deep section

can be used for simulation of deep water conditions, e.g. for investigations

on semisubmersible platform systems or floating platforms fixed by

mooring lines. An adjustable shallow water bottom is available and covers

the overall length of the basin if required. An air forced cooling system

generates air temperatures of about -20°C.

An advanced technique to improve mechanical ice properties was

developed and patented by HSVA and the model ice production procedure

is unique worldwide. A motor-driven carriage weighing about 50 tons runs

at up to 3 m/s providing a towing force of 50 kN. A transverse carriage is

installed rearward on the main carriage. Running both carriages

simultaneously together makes it possible to run fixed offshore structures,

floating or moored offshore platforms and artificial islands in a combined

and computer controlled planar motion (x-y motion) through the ice sheet

simulating the change of ice drift. This feature is unique, because it does

not exist elsewhere in Europe.

Ice tank (78m x 10m x 2.5m)

29

A smaller tank for environmental studies and experiments under cold

conditions which is unique in Europe. This basin is 30 m long, 6 m wide and

1.2 m deep. The bottom and sidewalls are sealed with a special oil resistant

coating. Air temperature can be cooled down to about –15°C, allowing the

simulation of typical arctic ice conditions. In addition to the ice making

facilities, special features include current generators, wavemakers and

wind generators. An underwater video system allows visual observation

and documentation of scenarios underneath the ice cover. Special features

of this tank are: simulation of real arctic conditions, generation of

propagating waves, current and wind.

The tank is suitable to perform a wide range of investigations including: a)

fundamental research in ice physics and arctic marine biology/chemistry, b)

study of sedimentological processes, penetration and distribution of oil in

the crystal structure of ice, study of biodegradation of oil polluted ice and

weathering of oil, c) simulation of oil spill scenarios in ice covered water,

development and testing of

new oil spill combat techniques.

Wave induced pancake formation

Cold room, which houses rare and unique sophisticated equipment and

testing machines (e.g. compressive strength testing machine, fracture

toughness apparatus, friction testing apparatus, shear apparatus and

universal stage for ice crystallographic investigations, etc.). Refrigerated

storage facilities for ice specimen are provided. The investigation of

mechanical ice properties is a standard procedure and includes the

determination of: flexural ice strength (in-situ), compressive ice strength,

elastic modulus, fracture toughness, stratigraphical ice texture

investigation, determination of grain sizes, friction coefficient, water

density, ice density, salinity of water and ice samples.

Fracture Toughness Test

AWI hyperbaric pressure tank,

http://www.awi.de/en/research/deep_sea/deep_sea_technology/pressure_tank/

The AWI hyperbaric pressure tank was originally developed to

test the properties of oxygen sensors for in situ experimentation

in the deep sea.

The tank has a maximum pressure rate of 600 bar, corresponding

to a water depth of 6,000 m. The available volume is 13 litres, the

temperature is adjustable from 2 to 25°C.

The tank is also used by other research groups for testing

different items of deep-sea equipment, and for biological

investigations, e.g. microbiological incubation experiments.

30

Netherlands :

Stichting Deltares (locations : Delft, Marknesse) :

Rotating Annular Flume. This Flume consists of a circular channel

with a mean diameter of 2.1 m

and a channel width of 0.2 m. The Flume and complementary

facilities are well suited to carry out

detailed studies on the various processes which cohesive sediments

undergo in fresh and salty

waters, including the direct measurement of bottom shear stress.

This installation is unique for its

hydraulic loads, its instrumentation and the possibility to carry out

tests with bio-chemical or polluted

sediments in a temperature controlled environment.

Water&Soil Flume. The facility is 2.5 m deep, 50 m long and 5.5 m

wide and can, because of its

large flow conditions, be used for virtually any water/soil-research

project with a wide variety of soil

types such as silt, sand, clay and rock, which is unique in Europe.

GeoCentrifuge. The GeoCentrifuge has a 2.0 m long, 1.0 m wide

and 1.0 m high model container that can be accelerated up to 300

times the normal gravity. This allows performing scale model

research at the same stress level as in prototype, which is

important to study water-soil-structure

interaction. Hydraulic actuators simulate external forces and it can

be equipped with a wave board. The lab can produce specific soil

models.

31

UK :

Total Environment Simulator, University of Hull, www.hull.ac.uk/geog

Modelling the effects of macro-algae

on sediment transport

The Total Environment Simulator (TES) facility at the University of Hull

is a unique hydraulic infrastructure for environmental, hydraulic and

morphological research and the facilities capabilities are particularly

suited to ecological research. The TES is 16m long (working section

~11m), 6 m wide and 1.8 m deep and is designed for scaled physical

modelling of sediment transport dynamics and flow hydraulics,

enabling detailed measurement of the processes operating at the

sediment-fluid interface under a range of complex environmental

conditions. Flow can be controlled using three different flow driving

mechanisms (current, waves and rainfall in fresh or saline water) and

the facility incorporates an integrated suite of high-resolution

instrumentation for measuring process rates. In addition, the facility

has artificial illumination to promote plant growth for ecological

modelling and there is the capability to use nutrientrich saline water

recycled from the adjacent aquarium tanks to enable modelling of

estuarine and coastal ecology.

The facility is capable of modelling: turbulent boundary layers up to

1m deep; transport of homogeneous and heterogeneous sediments;

variable channel widths and planform configurations can be used;

normal and oblique wave directions with regular or irregular wave

forms, and spatially distributed rainfall. To maximise the output from

any experiment, the flexible physical modelling capability is coupled

with a unique set of state-of-the-art instrumentation which enables

high-resolution measurements of both flow and sediment transport

dynamics. The facility is most relevant for studies relating to the Water

and Environment and Water and Sediments themes of HYDRALAB IV

and is particularly suited to providing new opportunities for

experiments to investigate the interactions between ecology and

sediment transport dynamics under different hydraulic and

environmental conditions.

3 simultaneous experiments

investigating the effects of vegetation

on channel development

National Hyperbaric Centre Ltd, Aberdeen Scotland, http://www.nationalhyperbariccentre.com/

The National Hyperbaric Centre (NHC) is an independent company providing expertise and services to the

Subsea industry and pressure-related industries, offering a wide range of services from commercial diver

training, hyperbaric welding and subsea testing and consulting to customers worldwide. The NHC has been

involved in the diving industry for many years throughout the provision of training, testing, hyperbaric

facilities and decompression studies. Our understanding of extreme environments enables us to provide

professional advice and services to customers of all industry markets.

32

A testing and trials facility enabling subsea equipment

and housings to be hydrostatically tested down to

3,000 metres. In addition, diving training and services

are available - including subsea familiarisation

programmes.

Hydrostatic pressure testing to 3,000 metres. Vessel

sizes up to 3 x 8 metres.

Open water test tank. 8 metres deep by 12 metres in

diameter, complete with air diving facility and work

area.

Training programmes for various diving disciplines,

including Subsea Familiarisation Programmes - which

can include practical diving.

France :

Coriolis rotating platform

Operated by CNRS Grenoble

The « Coriolis » rotating platform, equipped with a tank 13 m in diameter

and 1.2 m in height, is the largest turntable in the world dedicate to the

modeling of geophysical fluid dynamics. Its total weight is 150 tons and it

supports an extra load of 150 tons. Its rotation period can be set with high

stability between 18 and 1000 s and can be modulated to generate

permanent or oscillating circular flows, so to simulate tidal effects for

instance. It can be filled with homogeneous or density stratified water.

Stratification is made by filling the tank with a computer controlled

mixture from two underground tanks with specified salinity and

temperature. Various fixed or moving obstacles can be installed on

demand (transverse channel, annular shelf, oscillating plates, towed

cylinder, cylindrical plunger …). All the instruments, including lasers and

computers, stay on the platform, where electricity, water and computer

network are available, like in an ordinary laboratory. Researchers can stay

on the platform during rotation.

33

Hyperbaric tanks, IFREMER Brest

http://www.ifremer.fr/metri/pages_metri/infrastructure/hyperbaric.htm

Operator : Ifremer

The hyperbaric testing tanks allow the immersion simulation up to 10000

metres. Due to their dimensions (1 metre in diameter – 2 metres in

height), capabilities and associated means, they are unique in Europe.

They can be filled with fresh water or natural sea water and the

temperature and the level of dissolved gas can be regulated

The hyperbaric testing tanks have the following characteristics:

Tanks type

Characteristics

1000 bar

ACB

2400 bar 1000 bar

TDI

600 bar

EM

Max. Pressure 1000 bar 2400 bar 1000 bar 600 bar

Useful height 2 m 2,1 m 1,2 m 1,65 m

Useful diameter 1 m 0,535 m 0,3 m 0,3 m

Pressure cycling Yes Yes Yes Yes

Temperature Ambient to

2°C

Ambient to

55°C

From 2°C

to 70°C

From 2°C

to 55°C

Compressed

fluid

Fresh

water

Fresh

water

Fresh

water

Fresh/Sea

water

34

Materials and Structures Lab, IFREMER Brest

http://www.ifremer.fr/metri/pages_metri/infrastructure/materials.htm

Operator : Ifremer

Equipment is available for accelerated aging of materials in natural sea water,

with vessels at temperatures from up to 90°C. A natural aging site in the Brest

Estuary is also available. These facilities provide the possibility to study long

term durability and the influence of environmental degradation.

Complementary equipment (UV aging chamber, hydrostatic pressure

chambers) covers other environmental parameters.

Mechanical test equipment includes a static and fatigue test frames. The

largest, 10 meters long with a 100 ton capacity, has been extensively used in

studies for anchoring of floating offshore platforms. The machine can be

directly computer controlled using data files either from mooring line

simulations or measurements at sea. Samples can be tested wet or dry. Smaller

20 Ton and 1 Ton capacity static machines are also available.

Fatigue testing equipment includes three test frames up to a capacity of 25

tons. All can test samples in circulating natural sea water. Specific tests can also

be set up using hydraulic rams and custom test frames.

A range of equipment for physico-chemical analysis (FTIR, DSC, DMA, TGA,

SEM…) is also available. This can be used to both understand aging mechanisms

and to help to plan valid accelerated test programmes.-

Flexural fatigue test on

composite in natural sea

water

Large IRPHE/IOA wind-wave facility, IRPHE, Marseille

Length: 40 m

Width: 2.6 m

Max Depth: 1 m

Velocity / Discharge: 0.5 - 14 m/s wind; 0.1 m/s current

Maximum Height : regular/irregular

For Interactions Ocean Atmosphere : enable to generate

simultaneously mechanical waves and an air flow

Impact Tower, Ecole Centrale de Nantes, Nantes

Length: 5 m

Width: 4 m

Max Depth: 4 m

Racetrack flume, Sogreah, Pont de Claix

Sedimentological flume

Length: 18 m

Width: 0.5 m

Max Depth: 0.6 m

Velocity / Discharge: 0.6 m/s

35

Spain

Laboratory-Workshop of oceanographic instrumentation, cruises and sensors calibration

ICCM (Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas),Canarias

http://iccmoceanography.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=11

Instrumentation :

- NAS-2E/NAS-3X nutrient sensors (7 units)

- Idronaut CTD (Mod.Seven-316), and its deck unit (Mod. MK

Deck Unit)

- SIS CTD (Mod. 1000plus)

- GO Rosetta (Mod 1018)

- Niskin bottles Mod 1010( 2,5/5/10 litres). Several units

- Niskin bottles Mod. Go-Flow. Several units

- XBT/XCTD probes launching gun Sippican (several). Deck unit

for probes Mod. Mk12 (2 units) and Mk21 (1 unit).

- Acoustic releaser MORS. Mod. AR661 B2S (2 units), with its

deck unit Mod. TT-300_A(1 unit).

2.5 In-situ test sites, per country

(excluding manoeuvring basins for ship models)

Denmark :

Nissum Bredning Test Site, Helligso, owner : Nordisk Folkecenter for Vedvarende Energy, operator : Aalborg

University , www.civil.aau.dk

Brednign field test site situated in a 1 kW/m open sea

environment.

The test field offers grid connection, a mooring pile and an

access bridge reaching 150 meter out into the broads.

The test site and the operators are has a record of participating

in testing more than 30 different devices during the 6 years life

time of the instrumented test site. Two well known devices who

have been extensively tested are Wave Dragon and Wave Star.

36

Germany :

Offshore field test facilities, North Sea, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft - IWES BHV,

http://www.iwes.fraunhofer.de

The Fraunhofer IWES in Bremerhaven is currently operating several

offshore field test facilities for testing materials and components for

offshore renewable energy devices of all kind. As there are at the

moment: Lighthouse “Alte Weser”, Island of Helgoland Island of Sylt,

River “Jade”, Lighthouse “Hoher Weg”. All this locations, spread in the

German North Sea, differ very much concerning the biological stress

and the mechanical loads applied on any kind of sample. For this

reason we are able to test the resistivity of the samples against the

marine environment and possible damages by all kind of

environmental loads.

In addition to these offshore field test facilities we are operating an

environmental test chamber in the Fraunhofer IWES, which is

designed to meet precise temperature and humidity controlled

environmental conditions for testing a wide range of products in a

shortened period of time. The test chamber is a unique facility for

experimental testing of materials (e.g. varnish, coatings), sensor

systems (e.g. strain or acceleration gauges) and their applications

under various environmental conditions. Different climate tests can be

combined with static and dynamic loads in the form of bending stress

in one test run to achieve best results. Via this chamber it is possible

to test 12 samples simultaneously with a maximum size of 500x200x4

mm. Thus affixed sensors or coatings are exposed to accelerated life

tests.

Lighthouse “Alte Weser”

37

Netherlands :

Tidal Testing Centre Den Oever, Stichting Tidal Testing Centre, www.tidaltesting.nl

The Tidal Energy Testing Centre in Den Oever, provides an excellent opportunities for Tidal Energy Testing.

Water flows range from 0 to 4,5 m/sec, depending on the tide. The facility is using an existing sluice, which

basic function is to discharge water from the IJsselmeer to the Waddenzee, 2 times per day. In total, 32

identical sluices are present, of which a limited number can be used for testing purposes, given that required

permits are in place. This basic function of the sluices always remains dominant; testing equipment therefore

has to be placed in a way that it can be easily removed or lifted in case of emergency.

Testing facilities available are a feed-in electrical grid-connection, with a capacity of 160 kVA, if needed scalable

to higher kVA. Equipment for on-line 3D ADCP flow measurements are available

on a rental basis, providing a detailed flow profile of the sluice. Data acquisition services are available, data is

accessible via the network of the Tidal Testing Centre. Daily flow prediction available, scheduling options for

opening/closing of sluice. When the sluice is closed, there is no water flow, which enables preparation and

inspection activities under calm conditions.

The size of one sluice is 16 m wide and 4,2 m depth. The sluice has a very suitable size for ‘intermediate scale’

testing of offshore devices (best practice for Tidal Testing is approx. 1:3 scale testing).

Also it is suitable for 1:1 scale testing of small tidal power units.

Flume characteristics are: Full cycle (0 - max - 0) one direction operation during ca. 3 hours. There are 2 cycles a

day.

38

UK :

South West Mooring Test Facility (SWMTF), Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, operator : University of Exeter,

http://www.exeter.ac.uk/news/featurednews/title,17603,en.php

South West Mooring Test Facility (SWMTF) will be located in

Falmouth Bay, Cornwall, UK, near the Manacles rocks, just

south of the mouth of the Helford River. The buoy is fully

equipped with load cells, motion sensors and other

instrumentation to test a variety of catenary and taut

mooring arrangements. It will transmit data directly to the

shore and will allow, for the first time, comprehensive

evaluation of mooring systems under real sea conditions.

Installation and survey support will be provided.

The specification of the facility are as follows:

Installation location:

Water depth: 27m

Tidal variation: 5.4m

Significant wave height: 3.5m

Surface current: 0.8m/s

Principle hardware for the mooring test facility includes:

a) Environmental monitoring instrumentation

ADCP wave/current profiler(s) (wave and current

measurement system), weather station/wind

instrumentation.

b) Response and loading instrumentation

Motion packed measuring 6-degree of freedom, DGPS

system, in-line mooring load cells, tri-axis load cells,

anchor/ADCP positioning system.

Data acquisition/radio communication

Data acquisition system, large capacity computer systems,

radio telemetry system .

European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) , Orkney, Scotland, www.emec.org.uk

The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) Ltd was established to help the evolution of marine energy

devices from the prototype stage into the commercial market place. It provides grid-connected open sea

testing facilities for developers of wave and tidal energy devices and is currently developing smaller scale

‘nursery’ sites for both wave and tidal devices. These smaller scale sites are due for completion by February

2011: they will not be grid-connected, and will be available for a range of research and testing purposes.

39

The wave test site lies 2km off the west coast of Mainland Orkney, at

Billia Croo bay. There are currently four test berths in water depths of

approximately 50m, with a fifth planned for 2010 in deeper water, and an

inshore test site that may provide future grid connection in shallower

water. The existing four cables connect

the substation which lies just above the beach at Billia Croo to the centres

of the test berths.

The tidal test site is located to the west of Eday, one of Orkney’s North

Isles, in a tidal stream known as the Fall of Warness, which experiences

flow rates of 7.5 knots. The Fall is approximately 2km wide and 3.5 km

long. There are currently five test berths located in water depths of 25-

50m, with two further grid-connected berths planned for 2010. Cables

run from the substation which lies just above the beach, through the

beach, and along the seabed, terminating at the berth positions.

Tidal Test Facilities, Portaferry, Northern Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, www.qub.ac.uk

The facility at Portaferry is located on the eastern shore of

Strangford Lough which is a large (150km²) shallow sea lough

situated on the east coast of County Down, Northern Ireland.

About a third of the Lough is intertidal - the southern entrance

to the Lough is a deep channel about 8km long, called the

Narrows. From Portaferry across the Narrows to Strangford is

just 0.5km with an associated current regime that is extremely

strong and fast - up to 8 knots (4m/s). The bathymetric profile of

the Lough and the variation in current profiles at various

locations permits scaled (approx. 1/10th) tests of full-scale tidal

devices (either floating or fixed) that are designed for specific

operating conditions (depth, current, wave interaction, tidal

range etc).

QUB has a Marine Science laboratory facility at Portaferry that

provides logistical backup and office space during testing.

Specialist equipment available includes a comprehensive

inventory of Oceanographic instrumentation (ADCP, ADV,

Underwater Data Transmission, Underwater Video). Specialised

software is available for data analysis. Standard services include

warehouse

40

Ireland :

Wave Energy Test Site, Galway Bay, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, www.sei.ie/oedu

The two test sites are operated by Sustainable Energy

Ireland with support from the Marine Institute. The

Galway Bay test site is a benign quarter scale test site

for floating wave energy devices. This site is located on

the west coast of Ireland in Galway Bay off the Spiddal

coast. It is 37 Hectares in area and has a mean water

depth of 23m and a tidal range of 4m. Two devices

have been deployed on this site (Wavebob and Ocean

Energy Ltd.). A non-directional wave recording buoy

has been in situ since the test site’s inception in late

2005. Analysis of this data has shown that for quarter

scale devices the site can be highly energetic and

comparable to the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of

Ireland.

Wave Energy Test Site, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, www.sei.ie/oedu

The two test sites are operated by Sustainable Energy

Ireland with support from the Marine Institute.

The Belmullet test facility is under development and

will be grid connected and will enable developers to

monitor and assess the performance of devices. This

site will augment the quarter scale test facility at

Galway Bay. The site consists of berths at three

locations (a) nearshore 10m to 20m, (b) 50m depth

and (c) 100m depth. Environmental monitoring

projects have been deloyed at the site in 2009. For

ocean energy devices the nearshore site will be

available from 2011 with the 50m and 100m berths

available from 2012.

41

Portugal :

Full-scale OWC for real-sea testing of air turbines (100-700kW), Madalena, Azores, http://www.pico-

owc.net

The Pico OWC had been designed and built in the nineties as first

European grid-connected Pilot plant for OWC technology. The

structure is prepared for two fully sized turbine ducts for rated power

levels of up to 700kW, however only one of them has been

implemented. Together with the creation of WavEC, a recovery

project with moderate National funding was approved, and by 2005

the plant first delivered relevant amounts of power to the grid. Since

then, remaining technical issues have been solved to an extent that

the

original turbo-generation group can now generate at rated speeds,

being the next target autonomous operation.

It is now possible to prepare the second turbine lot for a modular and

variable test bed, allowing to test air turbines of industrially relevant

size in semi-controlled real-sea environment.

3. European integration and vision of the future

3.1 Major European projects

European integration in this domain is mainly supported by two FP7-I3 projects, one focused on hydraulic-

Hydrodynamic testing facilities for offshore engineering as for marine environment issues (HYDRALAB) and

one focused on Marine Renewable Energy (MARINET).

HYDRALAB IV : More than water, Dealing with the complex interaction of water with environmental

elements, sediment, structures and ice

o FP7-I3, 2011-2015

o Project web site : http://www.hydralab.eu/project_overview.asp

The co-ordinated and integrated approach of HYDRALAB aims at structuring the access to unique and costly

hydraulic and ice engineering research infrastructures in the European Research Area. The network of

HYDRALAB is unique in the hydraulic research community and has large experience in co-operating since its

start in 1997. It began by informing and co-ordinating the activities of the partners in HYDRALAB I and II, and

via strong collaboration in HYDRALAB III we will now realize further integration of our research services in

Europe in HYDRALAB IV. Over the course of 10 years our network has grown from 8 participants in 1997 to a

total of 30 partners and associated partners from 15 countries today.

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Research in our infrastructures deals with complex questions regarding the interaction of water with

environmental elements, sediment, structures and ice and goes beyond just hydraulic research: hence we

have adopted the theme More than water, with the following elements:

• Water and environmental elements (focusing on ecology and biology)

• Water and sediment

• Water and structures

• Water and ice

MARINET : Marine Research Infrastructures Network for Energy Technologies

FP7-I3, april 2011-march 2015

Project web site : http://www.fp7-marinet.eu/

MARINET brings together a marine renewable energy testing network with 42 facilities from 28 partners

offering test facility access at no cost to research groups and companies. MARINET (Marine Renewables

Infrastructure Network) is a new initiative which aims to accelerate the development of marine renewable

energy technology by bringing together a network of specialist marine research facilities in various countries

to offer periods of marine renewable energy testing at no cost to applicants through European Commission

funding.

Applicants can avail of a range of infrastructures to test devices at any scale in areas such as wave energy,

tidal energy and offshore-wind energy or to conduct general tests on power take-off systems, grid

integration, moorings and environmental data. As well as offering funded test facility access, the MARINET

initiative will also implement common standards for testing, conduct research to improve testing capabilities

and provide training at various facilities in the network in order to enhance expertise in the industry.

European marine renewable energy test centres have formed this network in order to streamline the testing

process. By coordinating their unique capabilities and services, MARINET essentially provides a one-stop-

shop for marine renewable energy research and testing of devices and concepts in Europe and farther

afield. The aim is to advance marine renewables R&D at all scales - from small models and laboratory tests

through to prototype scales and open sea tests. Applicants can use different facilities to suit different stages

and scales of the technology’s development – results and techniques used at one facility will be recognised

by the next facility. MARINET brings together a network of personnel in the offshore marine renewable

energy sector with expertise at all scales of marine technology research and development.

The EC funding seeks to remove financial barriers for companies and research groups who may not qualify

for national grant aid for tests taking place outside their home state - it is generally necessary to test outside

the home state at some stage(s) of the development process in order to access unique facilities which do not

exist in the home state. Access is available to 42 facilities from 28 network partners spread across 11 EU

countries and 1 International Cooperation Partner Country (Brazil). Access is open to research groups and

companies of any size who wish to avail of these facilities. The two main conditions are that the majority of

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the applicant group must work in Europe or a country associated to the European FP7 programme, and the

proposed facility must be outside the applicant’s home state. In total, over 700 weeks of access is available

to an estimated 300 projects and 800 external users. The initiative runs for four years until 2015, with at

least four calls for access applications.

Marinet trans national access : http://www.fp7-marinet.eu/access_facilities-available.html

3.2 Vision of the future

European integration still to complete

Some other important testing equipment, like hyperbaric tanks for sensors and instrumentation

qualification, are not integrated in an European network up to now,

Some marine sensors calibration labs are integrated in the FP7-I3 project JERICO- Coastal Observatories.

Norwegian Open Space Centre : a centre of marine technology knowledge for the future

Main elements of the future centre

The following paragraphs describe the most important elements of the infrastructure that will make up the

Ocean Space Centre:

o A flexible ocean space laboratory with complete ocean environmental modelling and deepwater

facilities, which will be an important tool for the development of future marine technology. This is

particularly important in view of the challenges presented by renewable ocean energy and oil and

gas production in very deep water and sensitive regions.

o A unique 3D flume tank for the study of the effects of complex flow conditions and internal waves

on slender marine structures.

o A combined towing tank and wave-generation basin, as well as a combined flume and cavitation

tunnel, designed to meet the challenges facing the shipping, fishing and aquaculture industries,

advanced marine operations under extreme weather conditions and the development of renewable

ocean energy resources.

o The arctic laboratory of the future: a wind tunnel with cold-climate facilities, a laboratory for the

study of oil in ice, and laboratories with the potential for testing marine operations under conditions

of icing in heavy seas.

o A groundbreaking design laboratory capable of dealing with future challenges at the interface

between structures and materials technology.

o Unique saltwater laboratories for the study of interactions between technology, biology and the

environment.

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The sum total of all this will be an infrastructure for research and innovation without equal anywhere in the

world, and which will set new standards in marine technology. This will offer Norway new advantages and

help to provide a knowledge boost on a global scale.

http://www.sintef.no/upload/MARINTEK/Pilotstudy_OceanSpaceCentre_080210.pdf

land-based facilities and in-situ testing sites for ocean engineering

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