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Danish wind-wave test plant seeks cash for commercial breakthrough

Thursday, 15 July 2010 18:21

Image: www.freefoto.com

In the Danish coastal waters off Lolland a floating pilot-scale wind-wave power machine called Floating Power Plant - Poseidon is producing 130 kW of electricity that is being fed into the Danish grid. It has cost DKK 35 million so far, and its owners are now hunting for another DKK 30 million for documentation and testing that they hope will give them a commercial breakthrough. Company chairman Erik Schultz sees the floating wind-wave power plant, a triangular structure with wind turbines mounted at each corner, as a challenger to conventional offshore plants which rest on foundations fixed into the seabed. "Our ambition is to create an alternative to the very expensive foundations used for offshore wind turbines. Existing foundations account for over 60% of the price of an offshore wind turbine. We think we can bring down the cost significantly."

Schultz points out that much of the pilot plant uses components that are standard in the offshore industry, including the wind turbines and the sea anchor that holds the floating plant in position. The EU has given Poseidon a pledge for DKK 10 million of the 30 million it is seeking, but the remaining 20 million is proving hard to get. Schultz warns that the company may be forced to take its technology overseas if the investment capital cannot be found.

"We have a close collaboration with Portugal, which has the best conditions for wave power, and which is building a strong industry in renewable energy as Denmark has done with wind power. We also have good contacts in the USA. 2010 is a decisive year for us, but I think it would be a pity if we have to move our renewable energy technology overseas," says Erik Shultz.

Source: Denmark.dk