Reliable energy supply system in the point absorber even with high waves

• What was needed: energy chain system for reliable energy supply within the shaft energy converter
• Requirements: long service life, maintenance-free, high load capacity
• Area of application: Renewable/hydro energy industry

The Swedish company CorPower Ocean manufactures wave energy converters. These are point absorbers in which a floating buoy on the surface absorbs the energy of the ocean waves. The buoy is connected to the seabed with a tensioned anchoring system. CorPower's innovative "Wavespring Phase Control Technology" allows the systems to resonate with the incoming waves, significantly increasing movement and energy absorption. The system has improved survivability in storms and is more compact, lighter and cost-effective compared to conventional point absorbers.

The harsh marine environment requires a design that can withstand extreme loads during storms. The development team was looking for a reliable cable carrier system that could run in continuous operation for 5 years or 20 million starts/stops without maintenance. The total service life required was 20 years or 80 million cycles. In addition, the system had to have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the extreme dynamics that build up during the vertical and horizontal movement of shafts up to 7 metres high. The system also had to be able to cope with vibrations caused by the impact of the waves.

CorPower turned to igus®. Our cable carrier experts quickly found the right solution: two vertically installed igus® e-chain® of the E4.1 series, equipped with chainflex® servo, power and control cables. The cables are specially developed for moving applications and achieve a particularly long service life in energy chain systems. The system does not require a large installation space, is extremely stable, easy to install, low-maintenance and weighs considerably less than metallic alternatives.