Orkney-based Scotrenewables Tidal Power has launched its 2MW SR2000, the world’s largest energy generating tidal turbine.
The company launched the 550-tonne machine at Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries in Belfast on 12 May. 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 program.
The SR2000 is the culmination of more than 12 years of a detailed and incremental engineering R&D program, with the project being supported by US$1.8 million (£1.25 million) 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.
“We’re now looking forward to getting the machine up to EMEC and start the test program to demonstrate more of the clear engineering and cost advantages our approach can bring to the commercial tidal sector,” Andrew Scott, Scotrenewables CEO said.
The company’s progress has been underpinned by longstanding support and investment of more than $36 million (£25 million) from main investors: ABB, the Scottish government’s Renewable Energy Investment Fund, DP Energy, Fred. Olsen Group and Total New Energies.
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.