The works on the installation of the Bourne tidal test site in Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Canal have been completed.
The installation of the test structure, conducted by AGM Marine Contractors, took 11 days to complete, Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative (MRECo), the organization in charge of site development, informed.
The works included the installation of three piles, platform assembly, winch and shore power installation together with welded braces and brackets for the structure’s stability.
The test platform will be fitted with data acquisition and transmission system by Impact Labs to enable data gathering from the sensors that will be required by the users of the platform, MRECo said.
The test site is located 10 meters south of the west end of the railroad bridge in the Cape Cod Canal, next to the Army Corps Engineer’s field station.
It is suitable for testing of tidal energy components or turbines of up to 3 meters in diameter with maximum output of 100kW.
MRECo also said the site is open for evaluation of corrosion effects, biofouling in high currents, and environmental impacts.
Bourne tidal test site is part of the New England Marine Energy Development System (NEMEDS) which is a network of testing facilities located in around 150-kilometer radius. These test facilities are expected to help device designers obtain valuable information that will enable them to scale up and commercialize more efficiently.
MRECo is a nonprofit organization that educates and involves all stakeholders to provide the sustainable development of renewable energy in New England waters.