Prototype testing:

In search of new, cheaper construction solutions for a foundation and a tower of a large offshore wind power plant, we have constructed a series of small-scale prototypes and tested them to check whether our innovative solutions produce results as expected.

A monopile foundation with a resistance plate for an offshore wind power plant of large power output.
When designing a monopile foundation with a resistance plate, one has to know the coefficient of static friction against the sea bottom, which depends on the bottom material structure and on the roughness of the resistance plate.
We have carried out tests in small scale and defined by way of experiment the coefficient of static friction for a sandy bottom. (Photo1)
For each specific location the coefficient value will be different, however, the variance will be small.

Offshore Wind Power Plant with a rotary tower
It is an entirely new solution where the tower rotates perpendicularly to the wind direction, steered by a back rudder; one or two power generating sets are affixed firmly to the tower. (Photo2)
Testing of a small-scale prototype allowed to verify:

• the correctness of the shape of the tower, formed as a large lattice;
• the correctness of work of the monopile foundation with a resistance plate;
• the correctness of work of the rotary sleeve;
• the correctness of action of the back rudder;
• the behaviour of floats on high wave;
• the electrical cable outlet.

Assembly of a wind power plant
EKO-PRO proposes an entirely new manner of assembly of an offshore wind power plant with large power output.
A simulation of that manner of assembly was carried out on a small-scale prototype.
Photo 3 shows the moment when the wind power plant rises from floats and is carried upwards. At this moment the rope bears the largest force, which should act on the very middle of the construction. During the test the lifting procedure was completed without any problems, but at the design phase, an additional security shall be featured, in order to prevent the possibility of considerable asymmetry of the forces acting during lifting the wind power plant up.
Photo 4 presents the wind power plant lifted at an angle. At this moment, the forces acting on the rope are much smaller. Photo 5 presents a rope winch which exactly copies the manner of operation of the real winch applied in our design.
A simulation of the assembly on a small-scale prototype allowed us to verify:

• the correctness of the manner of placing the floats supporting the entire wind power plant in a horizontal position;
• the correctness of the manner of joining the tower's bottom with the rotary sleeve;
• the correctness of the manner of lifting the wind power plant to a vertical position with a winch;
• the behaviour of the wind power plant at the moment when it raises from the supporting floats;
• preventing the rotary sleeve from rotating during the assembly process;
• strengthening the fastening of the tower on the foundation at the time when it is lifted up.

(more information)

The construction and testing of small-scale prototypes is the best method to trace and solve technical problems encountered during the development of new design solutions. EKO-PRO has used this method for many years. The owner of the company, Mr Zbyszko Jaroszewicz, a power plant design specialist with a doctor's degree, has a thirty years' experience of work with the power plant design and research company Biuro Studiów i Projektów Energetycznych ENERGOPROJEKT Warszawa S.A. and has designed many diversified solutions for innovation projects concerning specific hard coal-fired power and heat generation plants, which were then completed and proved very successful. This professional experience served as a robust basis in the subsequent creation of imaginative new solutions, which later took the form of small-scale prototypes and eventually evolved into definite design solutions.