Strategy for the development of wave energy utilization in Denmark through an industrial partnership

The Danish wave energy sector has during 2011-12 carried out a project called ‘A new strategy for wave energy through industrial partnership’ described in the document ‘Wave Energy Technology, Strategy for Research, Development and Demonstration 2012’ [1]. The project was funded by the Danish Energy Agency’s EUDP programme.

By 2030 at the latest, the development of wave energy technology will provide a cost-effective and sustainable electricity supply from offshore energy farms in Denmark. The strategy assumes that wave energy in combinations with wind farms will become more cost-effective than off-shore wind power, placed in deep sea far from shore and that the development will take place through an extended cooperation revolving around the technology development and supported by improved financial conditions for wave energy.

The vision that the Danish wave energy industry will be able to sell competitive wave energy technologies both on the national and the international market and that utilization of wave energy will become a prerequisite for building offshore energy farms at greater water depths in the future, is the key reason for suggesting improved financial conditions for wave energy.

This paper will present the development plan described by the partnership in order to realize their vision, including the collaborative focus areas for technological development, the timeframe and the required support structure identified by the Danish Partnership for Wave Energy.