EMEC trials underway for Iberian tidal device
Published: 16 December, 2014
Spanish tidal turbine company Magallanes has successfully deployed a floating tidal turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.
Supported by the EU-funded Marinet project, the 1:10 scale “ATIR” prototype has been installed at EMEC’s Shapinsay Sound test site.
Magallanes has been developing the technology since 2007, with previous prototypes trialled in test tank and river conditions.
Testing the 1:10 scale model at EMEC is a first step towards trials next year of a full-scale prototype – 42m in length and 350t in weight – currently under construction.
Managing director Alejandro Marquis de Magallanes said: “This test project allows us to demonstrate the integrity and viability of the concept and its subsystems in a real sea climate, and help inform the construction of our 2 megawatt (MW) floating platform to ensure a stable and optimal design.
“One of the most important steps was to discover maintenance needs, as well as gaining operational experience at sea.”
Eileen Linklater, EMEC’s client relationship manager, added: “There is a cluster of energy, maritime and environmental expertise around EMEC in Orkney, with an experienced supply chain providing support to projects like this.
“We are grateful to the Marinet project for enabling Magallanes to benefit from access to the test site. Accessible real sea testing allows marine energy developers and suppliers to learn extremely valuable lessons about working in a real sea environment more cheaply.”
Marinet (the Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network), was formed to accelerate the development of marine renewable energy by bringing together world-class testing facilities to offer EU-funded testing.
The aim of Marinet is to enable the progress of research and development at all scales – from small models and laboratory tests through to prototype scales and open sea trials.
EMEC is a partner in the initiative, which has brought together 28 partners spanning 12 countries and offers access to 42 marine testing facilities covering all scales.
