Swedish-based tidal energy developer, Minesto, has opened a tender for the concept development, design and fabrication of the launch and recovery (L&R) system for its Deep Green tidal kite.
Minesto posted a tender for the development of L&R system that would comprise a vessel able to pick up and transport the DG500 kite from the assembly hall at Holyhead Harbour to Holyhead deep site.
Also, vessel needs to be in position to recover a subsea tether held by a tether buoy, secure buoy to vessel, disconnect tether and connect kite top joint connection to the top joint on the tether, then launch the kite into sea after system check.
Kite will be controlled via MGS (micro grid system housed on a vessel moored to buoy or buoy/platform system) which will be attached to the kite via an umbilical leading from seabed foundation and kite tether assembly, Minesto said in a contract notice.
Recovery process will be reverse, according to Minesto, involving the L&R support vessel that will proceed to kite on surface, recover the kite, disconnect strut at top joint, connect tether buoy, put buoy into sea and return to harbour with the kite.
The deadline for the tender is set for August 8, with the estimated award date being August 28, 2016.
Minesto plans to install a 500 kW tidal power plant at the Holyhead Deep site off the coast of Anglesey, Wales, in 2017.