The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s (ORE Catapult), National Renewable Energy Centre has completed a multi-axis onshore endurance test program on Siemens-owned Marine Current Turbines’ (MCT) first 1MW tidal turbine powertrain (gearbox, generator and power conditioning equipment) using the 3MW tidal turbine drive train testing facility.
The technology developed by MCT works much the same as a submerged windmill, driven by the flow of water rather than air. Tidal flows are more predictable than air flows both in time and maximum velocity and it is therefore possible to bring designs closer to the theoretical maximum. The turbines have a patented feature by which they can take advantage of the reversal of flow every 6 hours and generate on both flow and ebb of the tide. The tips of the blades are well below the surface so will not be a danger to shipping or be vulnerable to storms.
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During the 11 month test program the 1MW turbine was exposed to the full range of power output and aggressive loadings the device would experience subsea, securing performance data equivalent to over 18 years of operation in some of the world’s harshest tidal cycles.
Working together, the technical teams conducted a complete range of tests on the power train and its key components including the gearbox, power electronics and grid connection, in a controlled environment simulating the thrust and oscillating torque of extreme sea conditions. This type of testing was essential to understand how the whole system would be expected to perform in real offshore conditions before first array deployment.
Sven Stoye, Chief Executive Officer, MCT said, “We are very pleased to announce the successful completion of this significant milestone. In demonstrating an equivalent life in excess of 18 years we have completed another industry first. Together with over six years successful deployment of SeaGen in Strangford Lough and over 9 GWh of electricity generation, we are confident that the technology planned for the Skerries in 2016 will be world-class.”