One of the main activities in the ColdTech project is to perform tests and collect data on technology in cold climates. In order to develop sustinable cold climate technology, it is crucial to gain knowledge on how the harsh environment affects materials and structures. Field studies are an excellent way of collecting data and getting experience from the cold regions of the High North.

 

The ColdTech project combines technological and societal aspects with the elements of nature represented by ice, atmospheric icing, wind, snow, temperature, humidity and darkness. With human interaction, this will facilitate the development of sustainable infrastructure and operations in the High North.

 

A list of ColdTech publications can be found here.

 

ColdTech projects include:


RT1: Weather protection design and performance

Current work focusses on optimization of structures (e.g., buildings, bridges) for winds and snow drift. Work is based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and tests in three wind tunnels.

 

RT2: Ice mechanics and ice forces on structures

The whole of the arctic region provides an export opportunity for Norway to capitalize on present strengths and to further develop arctic and offshore-related technologies. Operating in ice-infested waters for exploration and production of oil and gas, the structures are likely to expose to extreme ice loads and design of such structures is impossible without knowing the worst case ice action scenario. The mechanical and physical properties of level ice and first-year ridges plays important roles in ice-structure interaction processes. The general objectives of RT 2 are to:

  • Increase Norwegian knowledge on ice conditions in the Barents Sea and Baltic Sea Study the ice conditions and the mechanical properties of ice with special focus on first year ridges.
  • Develop suitable methods for numerical simulation of static and dynamic ice-structure interaction.
  • Improve current constitutive models for level ice and ice ridges: the most important factors are effects of strain rate and temperature dependency, plasticity, creep, cracking and anisotropic behavior.
  • Measurements of ship motion and resistance from pressure ridges on vessels during ice breaking and ramming tests ice ridges in Barents Sea by using the Coast Guard vessel KV Svalbard, which has ice breaker capabilities.

The partners for RT 2 are:
Luleå University of Technology, Det Norske Veritas and National Research Council Canada represents academic partners in the project. The oil companies Royal Dutch Shell and Total representing the industry. The Norwegian Cost Guard is a project support partner and sets the vessel KV Svalbard to our disposal to conduct field expeditions and ramming tests in the Barents Sea.

RT3: Atmospheric icing and sensors

Ongoing projects in RT3 include:

 

  • Relationships are being developed to predict icing at different elevations. Two ice monitoring stations were successfully installed in Narvik in early 2012 to perform the field measurements of atmospheric icing. Each installed ice monitoring station consisted of an ice load monitor, HoloOptic ice sensor, advance multifunctional weather station, CCTV camera and rain gauge. A monitoring station at higher elevation (Fargnesfjellet) is operational since fall 2013. Initial results confirmed the validity of the proposed technique.
  • Laboratory studies of ice detection focusing on two main techniques: ice detection using dielectric properties of ice, and ice detection using thermal infrared techniques.
  • Numerical simulation of ice accretion on air intakes.
  • Reduction of damages, and response to icing on structures (e.g., power lines): Prediction and detection of atmospheric icing through field measurements, sensor development and testing in laboratory facilities, and simulations.

RT4: Applied Arctic technology

Ongoing projects in RT4 include:

  • Reduction of costs in hydropower dam construction and upgrade: Measurements and modeling of ice loads on hydropower dams under different environmental conditions.
  • Energy efficient buildings: Analysis of building performance in a fully instrument low-energy house in Svolvær, and laboratory studies on thermal performance of concrete.
  • Efficient production and installation of concrete foundations in winter: Concept development, numerical simulations, and life-size field trials.
  • Efficiency of Photovoltaic (PV) installations in the Arctic: Test and monitoring of PV modules and solar tracking systems in Narvik and Piteå.
  • Field studies of frost in ground.

RT5: Implementation of technological research

Completed projects within RT5 include:

  • Opportunities, challenges, and conflicts related to wind power development in Finnmark were investigated. Views and strategies of stakeholders were analyzed with a view on conflict resolution. Reported in: "Noen muligheter og utfordringer relater til vindkraftutbygging I Finnmark" (Arbeidsnotat 2010:1003, Norut Alta).
  • Innovation and innovation management receives increasing attention because of the acknowledgement of its impact for competitiveness. Important aspects of the subject in international literature were analyzed, and an analysis has been performed on how the subject is presented in the literature.  Following the maxim "Innovate or Die", companies find themselves under continuous pressure to improve upon existing products and services, and to develop radically new products or services. Analyses were performed of innovation capabilities and processes of existing businesses, and the conditions for successful entrepreneurial activities and creation of new businesses. Report: "Om innovasjon og innovasjonsledelse - en oversikt over sentral litteratur" (Norut Alta, juni 2011).
  • Innovation activities in Norway were studied in the framework of the "Science-Technology-Innovation" (STI) chain of events versus the "Doing-Using-Interacting" (DUI) model. In real life STI- and DUI-innovation exists side by side in many companies. Another approach is dealing with the importance of regional clusters of companies as a catalyst of innovation in many regions. Reported in: "Om innovasjon, kunnskap og læring" (Norut Alta, 2010/2011).
  • One of the projects drew upon different approaches or models concerning innovation, implementation and commercialization of new technologies. To a great extent these approaches are seen as complementary, and share a common interest in studying what seen as non-technical aspects of innovation and implementation.  Reported in: Social Science Perspectives on Innovation and Technology Development. ColdTech, RT5 Working Paper 1 (Arbeidsnotat 2010:1005, Norut Alta).