Scotrenewables Tidal Turbine Generates Power - 26 July 2011

Testing of the SR250 tidal turbine took a major step forward last week as the device generated power for the first time. This marks a major milestone for the team at Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd who have been developing the floating turbine from their base in Stromness.

The floating tidal turbine has been visible at Hatston pier for several months while it has been undergoing commissioning since arriving in Orkney waters in April. The first power generation is the most significant milestone to be met since an initial grid connection of the turbine at the EMEC test site shortly after the device arrived in Orkney. Chief Technical Officer Mark Hamilton explained “we’re very happy to be reaching the end of the commissioning process and to be generating power. Successfully producing power from the turbine means that the many different electrical, mechanical and hydraulic subsystems are all working well together. Progress has been steady since we got the machine home to Orkney and we are delighted to now be looking towards the next stage of testing in the Fall of Warness.” The 250kW machine is to undergo a 2 year test program at the EMEC test site near Eday.

The device generated power for the first time during tow trials with the MV Voe Viking in Shapinsay Sound. Equally as important as generating power for the first time, the tow trials have proved that the primary design criteria of building a tidal turbine that can be easily handled with a modest sized work boat has been met. The team plan to take full advantage of the ease of handling and connecting/disconnecting the device from its moorings by regularly bringing the device back and forth to Hatston pier for maintenance and inspection over the 2 year testing program.

Managing Director Barry Johnston said “at every stage of building and testing the SR250 we have learned invaluable lessons that will feed into the design of our commercial scale 2MW device. Producing power for the first time is of course a major step forward, but I am equally pleased with the lessons learned by the team while commissioning the turbine in Hatston and the experience we are building up of handling the device at sea.”