The Reliability in a Sea of Risk 2 (RiaSoR 2) project has published new reports on condition monitoring systems (CMS), numerical load analysis and reliability assessment specifications for wave energy converters (WECs).
Building on Phase 1 of the RiaSoR project, which developed a theoretical reliability assessment guideline for WECs and tidal energy converters (TECs), RiaSoR 2 aims to enable developers to validate their findings and establish a practical, condition-based monitoring platform to prepare for future arrays, where big data handling and processing will be vital to drive down operational expenditure.
Available to download from the RiaSoR website (www.riasor.com), the reports feed the methodologies and training into the guideline developed in the first RiaSoR project.
The reports available for download are:
• Condition Monitoring Requirements and Needs
• Condition Monitoring Systems of Wave Energy Converters
• Condition Monitoring Training Requirements
• Outline Load Assessment Numerical Tool Specification
The CMS reports developed by RiaSoR 2 partners transfer experience from other industries providing an insight into the condition monitoring of WECs.
An efficient condition monitoring system will allow early detection of upcoming failures due to aspects such as vibrations, causing structural fatigue of the marine energy converter. The CMS will detect any abnormal behaviour in different components of the WEC, for example the structural, electrical or hydraulic sub-systems and other operational parameters such as pre-tension and entanglement of moorings. The ‘Training Requirements’ report provides a statement of requirements for a User Training Package, including for relevant CMS certification, standards, and guidelines.
Johannes Hüffmeier, RISE adds:
“The reports give guidance on how to increase reliability of ocean energy devices by a structured approach ensuring increased uptime of critical components, more efficient maintenance campaigns and in the long run allow for knowledge-driven design.”
The reports have been developed by SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Alkit Communications AB, Cruz Atcheson Consulting Engineers and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, in association with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Synective Labs, CorPower Ocean, Waves4Power and Ocean Harvesting.
The RiaSoR 2 project is funded by the Ocean Energy European Research Area Network (OCEANERA-NET), in association with the Swedish Energy Agency and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.