Scotrenewables Tidal Power has launched its 2MW SR2000, the world’s largest energy generating tidal turbine.
The Orkney-based company, which is at the forefront of the floating tidal technology sector, launched the 550 tonne machine at Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries Ltd in Belfast yesterday. This is the first commercial scale machine the company has built. The turbine will undergo preliminary tow trials in Belfast Lough before being towed to the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney to commence a grid connected test programme.
The SR2000 is the culmination of more than 12 years of a detailed and incremental engineering R&D programme, with the project being supported by £1.25m funding under the Scottish Government’s WATERS2 initiative. The turbine design follows Scotrenewables’ floating generating platform philosophy, which the company expects will deliver a step-change cost and risk reduction to the commercial tidal energy sector.
Speaking at the launch the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Scott, said: “This is an exciting time for the company and a major milestone to reach, and is the result of an enormous effort by a dedicated team at Scotrenewables. We’ve also been fortunate to have been supported by a committed group of suppliers through the build, especially here with Harland and Wolff in Belfast.” Talking of the forward programme Andrew added: “We’re now looking forward to getting the machine up to EMEC and start the test programme to demonstrate more of the clear engineering and cost advantages our approach can bring to the commercial tidal sector.”
The company’s progress has been underpinned by longstanding support and investment of more than £25 million from main investors: ABB, (Scottish Government’s) Renewable Energy Investment Fund, DP Energy, Fred. Olsen Group and Total New Energies.
Simon de Pietro, CEO of DP Energy and key investor in the project says the tidal energy sector is rapidly approaching maturity. “The sector is now beyond its emerging phase and the SR2000 device is a bold step forward proving the viability of tidal as a sustainable, reliable and predictable energy source.”
Steel fabrication of the machine was carried out by fabricators in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England with assembly and commissioning of the SR2000 taking place at Harland & Wolff shipyard over the past 12 months, drawing on H&W’s 150 years of marine manufacturing experience to deliver this next generation technology.
CEO of H&W, Robert Cooper, speaking of the project said the firm remains to the fore of renewable offshore energy developments. “We are very pleased to be able to deliver this state of the art device and to help Scotland and Northern Ireland develop new energy generating technologies.”
