The Itsas Rebestigue group that belongs to the University of the Land Vasco, has been in charge of installing one New 25 -meter golf generator In the Department of Energy Engineering of the School of Engineering of Bilbao.
This channel is unique in the country Vasco, Because no other is able to surpass it in length. This golf generator will be used to test the future technological tests that will be implemented in the sea, and that will be Mainly focused on the development and operation of renewable energy sources.
Waves and renewable energy sources for the Basque Country
Weld Renewable energy sources in the marine environment are considered essential alternatives For sustainable development, so that the use of golf energy has become of great importance for its high energy potential in recent years. The energy of the waves is, although it seems strange, from the sun. When the earth can be in an unequal way, there are differences in temperature that cause the movement of the air, so that the wind generates the waves of the sea.
It’s the effect of Winds blow on the extensive surface of the Open Sea, which transfers energy to the waves. Only in the seas of Europe is it estimated that the waves are moved by the equivalent of 1,000 tw/h per year. Therefore, if it is used efficiently, the energy of the waves would have the potential to contribute a relevant percentage within the “mix” of renewable production for the 2030 horizon.
As explained by the professor of Jesús Mari Blanco University, director of the ITSAS REM and coordinator of the master Erasmus Mundus Rem+, “The design, construction and coordination of this golf channel responds to the need to have an infrastructure in the Basque Country This makes it possible to validate systems/devices on laboratory scale. “
The golf tank is configured as follows: the wave generator is located on one end and on the other hand the extinction or “beach” area. In the TOP of the tank are installed state -of -the -Art -Art cameras (qualisys type) to capture the movement of floating devices In all possible directions (front/rear, up/down, left/right), together with golf measurement, pressure and strength, among others. From the control item they treat the swell generator and absorb all the data from the measuring sensors.
Basque wave generation channel
The channel has one Regular and irregular wave generation system With which every type of sea rate can reproduce via a control software that is designed exclusively for it. Moreover, it has an active absorption system that avoids the rebound of the waves at the end of the channel, so that the desired waves are guaranteed and can therefore perform long-term and reliability tests.
“In Application or desired study function, the scale can vary, Usually, between 1:20 and 1: 100, “Blanco explained. These operating conditions make it possible to simulate the waves on the channel, both the most common sea states and the most extreme situations that can actually be given.
Although the condition of the sea in the tank is reproduced, fresh water is usedBecause the variation of the density between the two is considered ‘insignificant’. They can currently simulate flows, at a speed of up to 0.4 m/s on the channel.
He The costs of the channel were paid with the funds obtained through a research project achieved by the ITAS-REMSEARCH Group in a competitive public call promoted by the government Vasco / Euskoko Government
Olas of 12.5 my 25 m
The work to install the golf generator started in January 2024 and the channel has been operational since June of that year. For this, important infrastructure works had to be carried out in three laboratories of the Bilbao School of Engineering.
Earlier they had a 12.5 m long tank. However, because it emphasizes white, not with an active absorption system and the limited length in that initial tank, long -term tests prevented to perform, as well as avoiding the phenomenon of bouncing waves. “Nevertheless, the 12.5 m tank has been a good way to gain knowledge and experience to make the leap to this new tank with maximum technological levels,” he concluded.
More projects
Of the recognized government group Vasco Itsas-Rem, they develop various projects that have also been financed by the government Vasco / Euskoko Jaurlaritza via the Elkartek call. On the one hand, they are working on a research project called Ekiocean in which they are addressed Various technological challenges to raise floating photovoltaic plants. On the other hand, predictive tests on offshore devices are carried out in the Rul-et project, such as floating wind turbines.
Another of the projects they have worked on is the optimization of the Undimotriz factory of Mutriku. In this installation, the waves that penetrate a camera move the air in and is made by a turbine of the Geer type. In turn it makes the generation of electricity possible. What they do is try how Be able to optimize the geometry of every camera of that Mareomotor Centrale from Mutriku In the tank, to increase the performance of the plant.
What is the REM +?
He Master Renewable Energy in the Marine Environment (REM +) Coordinates Blanco, is a post -doctoral degree with the quality seal of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Program (EMJMD) and is jointly offered by four European universities: the UPV/EHU (as coordinator), the University of Cork (Ireland), the University Norway of Science and technology and the Central School of Nantes (France).
It is Master started his career as the title of the UPV/EHU in 2017. The seventh edition is currently being given and waiting for the approval of the new proposal. The percentage of students outside the European Union reach 75%and comes from countries such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Japan, Mexico, USA, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, United Kingdom, and has also counted with students from the most European countries. On January 22, the inauguration of the seventh edition took place, which also had to present Basque companies in the El Nuevo Canal de Olas sector.