Lockheed Martin has commenced a contract from tidal energy company Atlantis Resources Ltd. to optimize the design of Atlantis’ new 1.5-megawatt tidal turbine, the AR1500.
Designed to facilitate operation in highly energetic tidal locations, the AR1500 turbine will be one of the largest single rotor turbines ever developed and will have active rotor pitch and full nacelle yaw rotation. The increased capability and integrated, advanced functionality will help bring commercial tidal energy to reality, and will initially support the MeyGen project in Scotland’s Pentland Firth and deployment in Canada’s Bay of Fundy.
“By 2040, world energy demand is expected to dramatically increase,” said Tim Fuhr, director of ocean energy for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business . “Lockheed Martin’s technology, development and expertise in ocean systems and global system integration skills will enable the AR1500 to use powerful tides to produce safe, clean renewable energy for homes and businesses around the world.”
“With us acquiring the MeyGen project, and receiving full consents to begin construction of the project’s first phase, it has been an amazing 12 months of growth for Atlantis,” said Tim Cornelius, chief executive officer of Atlantis Resources Ltd . “Our AR1500 development program with Lockheed Martin will ultimately deliver the rapidly growing tidal energy industry the most advanced, robust and powerful tidal turbine system available on the market.”
Last year, Lockheed Martin and Atlantis entered into an exclusive teaming partnership to develop technology, components and projects in the tidal power sector on a global basis. The new AR1500 tidal turbine that Lockheed Martin is designing is expected to be one of the most technologically advanced and robust turbines ever produced. The two companies have been working together for four years, most recently on the delivery of the Energy Technologies Institute TEC Demonstrator program, which is aimed at bringing a step-change reduction in the cost of deploying tidal turbines in commercial arrays.
Press release, March 18, 2014; Image: Lockheed Martin