Scotrenewables Tidal Power (SRTP) has installed the SR2000 tidal turbine on its moorings at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) as part of site commissioning and testing.
The turbine, developed and manufactured by SRTP, was towed to site by Green Marine’s vessel Green Isle yesterday, October 12, and was subsequently connected to its moorings at EMEC’s Fall of Warness tidal testing site.
Andrew Scott , CEO of SRTP, said: “We see it as a real feather in our cap that we’ve managed to execute a construction and installation program for a 2MW turbine using only low cost vessels. This will be a short installation but we’ll be seeking to further emphasize clear benefits of our approach in the operational phase where much of the standard maintenance can be carried out with simple crew transfer vessels, and validate a game-changing reduction in cost of energy for the tidal sector.”
According to SRTP, it completed all site construction and installation work for the 2MW unit, including installation of the 500 tonne turbine itself, using locally available workboat vessels.
The SR2000 was launched from the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast back in May before being towed to Orkney.
Since arriving in Orkney waters, the 63 meters long device, weighing around 500 tonnes, has undergone a series of tow trials where simulated flow conditions behind a tow vessel allowed the technical team to commission systems and complete functional tests in a controlled fashion ahead of starting its grid-connected test program, SRTP informed.
The SR2000 project has been supported by Scottish Enterprise’s WATERS II scheme along with investments from SRTP’s shareholders which include ABB, DP Energy, Fred Olsen, Total and Scottish Government via the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF).
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