Scotrenewables Tidal Power has deployed its modular anchoring system at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) ahead of the installation of its SR2000 2 MW floating tidal turbine.
The anchor deployment formed part of a novel tidal anchors project for floating technologies, which was carried out in partnership with McLaughlin & Harvey, SeaRoc and Scotmarine.
The pre-cast fibre reinforced concrete anchor modules were manufactured by McLaughlin & Harvey at a casting yard specifically set up within the harbour complex, transported to the quayside at Hatston, Orkney and placed on the sea-bed adjacent to the quayside using local heavy lifting engineers Heddle Construction, Scotrenewables’ press release reads.
Then, anchor modules, each in excess of 64 tonnes, were transported to the EMEC tidal test site, some 30 km, away by Scotmarine’s MV Orcadia II workboat.
The installation of the last module was completed last week, and following the final tests, the SR2000 floating tidal turbine is expected to be connected onsite in the coming months.
Andrew Scott , Scotrenewables CEO, said: “The floating tidal anchors project has demonstrated how inexpensive gravity anchor materials can be utilised in conjunction with a highly innovative deployment approach towards a low cost anchoring solution for floating tidal installations.”
The project was supported by the Scottish Government’s Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund, which was established to support the development of enabling technology for marine energy arrays and by Invest NI.