MRECo targets March for BTTS construction

Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative (MRECo) is looking at March 2017 to begin with the construction of the Bourne Tidal Test Center (BTTS) in Massachusetts, USA.

MRECo originally aimed to start with the construction of BTTS in December 2016, but having not yet received the final approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the plans have been delayed to March 2017 at the earliest.

Also, the manufacturer of the steel test structure that will make the BTTS center, Mass Tank, determined that the heavier steel must be used.

MRECO noted that the installer AGM Marine Contractors are ready to be mobilized for the construction of the center, while the Falmouth Scientific will provide a current meter to enable real-time velocity and direction data.

As reported earlier, MRECo received a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the test center back in October 2016, and more recently, the permit from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

BTTS will consist of a steel test structure comprising two pilings joined by a bridge with test turbine mounted onto the bridge. It is anticipated that turbines of up to 3 meters in diameter will be tested with maximum output of 100kW.

It will be located approximately 10 meters south of the west end of the railroad bridge in the Cape Cod Canal.

MRECo is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to foster the sustainable growth of marine renewable energy, including wave, tidal, and offshore wind sectors of New England through education, collaboration, and demonstration.