Proteus Marine Renewables starts assembling upgraded tidal turbine in Japan (Gallery)

UK-based tidal energy company Proteus Marine Renewables (PMR) has started assembly works this week on the AR1100 tidal turbine in Japan.

According to PMR, the assembly would be completed this year, followed by reinstallation, and finally the export of clean energy to the Goto Islands, Japan.

Following the success of the AR500 pilot tidal project, where a 500 kW turbine was installed in Japanese waters in 2021 with a 97% turbine availability, the company signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with Kyuden Mirai Energy (KME) in November 2022 to upgrade the turbine to an AR1100. 

Proteus said it retrieved the AR500 to enhance its energy capture by adding pitch and yaw systems and uprating it to 1100 KW. The company plans to reinstall it in the Naru Strait to power the Goto Islands.

Source: Proteus Marine Renewables

Source: Proteus Marine Renewables

Source: Proteus Marine Renewables

In March, the company expressed that its focus is on upgrading the turbine to the AR1100 and planning for its installation and commissioning in late 2024. 

“The pilot project not only demonstrates our commitment to sustainable energy solutions but also establishes a vital precedent for future tidal energy initiatives in Japan, aligning with the nation’s environmental goals and aspirations,” said PMR.

PMR completed acceptance testing for its Yaw System for tidal turbines in June, which is said to be en route for subsea deployment. PMR said that the new Proteus Yaw System is at least 40% more cost-effective than previous models, boasts a higher load capacity, and has been tested on a rig for turbines with up to a 3 MW output.

Described as “a new tidal energy outfit”, PMR was created following the sale of a majority stake in SIMEC Atlantis Energy’s Advanced Tidal Engineering and Services division (ATES). This management buyout is said to allow the company to expand its products and services across a broader range of marine renewables while maintaining a primary focus on tidal energy.