Scottish Enterprise has awarded phase-two contract to Jee Ltd for the demonstration of their ‘U-tube’ solution for tidal energy development.
This award builds on the phase-one contract Jee secured in September 2014, under which the company was tasked to develop solutions for locating, securing, protecting and recovering electrical array cables for tidal energy installations.
Jee’s protection system, the ‘U-tube’, features a pipe fixed to a J-tube which is secured to the turbine foundations at each end of the pipe.
The cable is then pulled vertically into one of the J-tubes and through the pipe using a pre-installed messenger and winch line.
Once the cable is pulled in, connections are made to the turbine nacelles using wet-mate connections.
Jee will be designing, manufacturing and delivering the ‘U-tube’ in collaboration with Aquatera who is responsible for installation procedures.
Neil Ferguson , Energy and Clean Technologies Senior Executive at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Developing this new technology will be fundamental to the reduction of marine energy project costs over the longer term, and enabling the successful commercialisation of the industry. The demonstration phase of this project is a key next step in achieving that, and we look forward to working with both companies over the next few months.”
Jee is the UK’s independent multi-discipline subsea engineering and training firm with experience in integrated subsea projects from concept, through to installation, and decommissioning.
Aquatera was established in 2000 to provide a modern and innovative suite of environmental services and products, undertaking activities such as integrated lifecycle support for renewable energy and other environmental projects, environmental assessment, surveying and management, and technical and operational support.
[mappress mapid=”266″]
Image: Jee Ltd