Sustainable Marine Energy (SME) has released a video of the recently completed installation operation of its PLAT-I floating tidal energy platform.
The platform was installed on November 25, 2017, at Connel Sound, near Oban in western Scotland.
PLAT-I is a multiple turbine floating tidal energy platform hosting Schottel Hydro’s turbine system rated at 280kW. Featuring modular trimaran design, the platform is 32 meters long, with a beam of 27 meters.
The power take-off system comprises four Schottel Instream Turbines (SIT) and an accessible power conversion system hosted in an on-board container.
The innovative design of PLAT-I facilitates easy and low-cost transport, assembly and launching close to the intended deployment site, and according to SME, all tasks can be performed using local, readily available equipment.
As an illustration of this, the system was assembled and launched at Dunstaffnage Marina over a period of four weeks using a standard mobile crane.
The platform also features the ability to lift the SITs out of the water, enabling easy access for ongoing maintenance and reducing the depth of water required for launching and tow-out.
PLAT-I is designed for inshore tidal sites to provide power at a community scale. According to SME, it proves that tidal energy is a viable clean energy alternative for coastal and island off-takers with limited infrastructure.
After the trials in Scotland, PLAT-I will be deployed in the Philippines as part of a grid-connected, first commercial demonstrator array project in the country.