Norwave Wave Power Plant

3D Model

This model shows the tapered channel and part of the basin/reservoir.

In 1985/86 Norwave built a wave power plant on the island of Sotra in Norway. This is one of two wave power plants at this location.

The plant built by Norwave was based on “overtopping devies” or the “tapered channel” approach. The waves are captured in a raised reservoir and energy is being produced by allowing the water to flow back to the sea. An accident while trying to widen the tapered channel led to the end of the plant as it was decommisioned in 1991 (explosion accident). In the following years, storms have ravaged the remains.

I didn’t find much material describing this power plant from when it was operational, except these two pictures.

Principle:

The place: