KIT-UNIHannover-GWK+

Coastal Research Center (FZK) – Large Wave Current Flume (GWK+)

TA13KIT-UNIHannover-GWK+ 

Location

Merkurstr. 11

30419 Hannover,  Germany 

Description

The Large Wave Flume (Großer Wellenkanal, GWK) in Hannover, Germany is in operation since 1983. With a usable length of around 300m, a width of 5m and a depth of 7m, it is still one of the largest flumes in the world. Since its construction, it has served national and international research interests dedicated to the development of waves and their interaction with a wide variety of structures.

With the expansion of renewable energy generators on the sea, foundation aspects of such structures and the influence of tidal currents came more into focus. In October 2020, construction works started for a major upgrade of GWK to GWK+, the Large Wave Current Flume. The upgrade included a new wave maker, a current generation system and a deep section. These new features allow for the generation of waves and sea states with heights up to three metres while simultaneously absorbing reflected waves (this is a principle similar to active noise cancelling).

In addition, currents with flow rates of up to 20,000 litres per second can be generated simultaneously and entire tidal cycles, including flow reversal and water level change, can be simulated without interrupting the test. The new staggered deep section (length / depth: 28 meters / 2 meters & 8 meters / 6 meters) allows the installation of sea floors flush to the rest of the flume bottom and a realistic embedding of offshore foundation structures in the ground.

Testing Capabilities

Experiments with any combinations of wave, current, wind, soil and structure interactions.

Technical Equipment

  • Wave gauges
  • Fluid velocities (ADV, EMC, propellers)
  • Pressure sensors
  • Force sensors
  • Acceleration sensors
  • Laser scanners (LIDAR 2D and 3D)
  • Echo sounders
  • Video system
  • Motion tracking system

Additional information

Technology Readiness Level: 4-6

Special considerations: N/A 

Technology clusters: Ocean Energy, Offshore Wind

Website: https://www.fzk.uni-hannover.de/en/

Availability: All year

Provision of tools to prepare data sets in a FAIR way:  Yes 

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