E!7981 Tidal Turbine Commercial Development Program

The TTCDP project will enhance the electrical and mechanical performance of a commercial scale tidal turbine. With 10 technology innovations across the project, the results will offer breakthroughs in reliability and redundancy, to ensure the commercial readiness of tidal energy. The project will provide those seeking to invest in the initial tidal turbine arrays with a high degree of confidence in the reliability of the the technology. Drawing upon expertise throughout the European supply chain to d evelop a tidal turbine system that offers high performance and maximum reliability, a tidal turbine generator solutions that is characterized by higher efficiency, higher reliability and longer service intervals than the existing solutions due to more eff icient and at the same time simpler cooling system, and a fully commissioned on-shore drive train test rig. Reliability has proven to be a critical parameter in determining the lifetime cost of energy (LCoE) associated with offshore wind. Intervention for maintenance of tidal energy converters is arguably more difficult and costly than offshore wind turbines. Therefore reliability will hold further significance in the LCoE for tidal energy arrays. This has been highlighted by those seeking to make in vestments into the first tidal array projects ? utilities, project developers and financial institutions. In recognition of this Atlantis, SmartMotor and the National Renewable Energy Centre (NAREC) have embarked upon a comprehensive optimisation proc ess for a tidal turbine, tidal turbine power take off system and a tidal turbine onshore drive train test rig. This process has started with the planned onshore testing of the AR1000 tidal turbine on the Nautilus testing rig (an onshore drive train t est rig) at NAREC. This testing will expose the electrical and mechanical systems of the AR1000 tidal turbine to a simulated tidal operating environment, providing information on the operation of the first line tidal turbines, SmartMotor Generator and fa cilitating initial stages in the commissioning of the Nautilus onshore tidal turbine drive train test rig. Upon completion of a thorough design review of the prototype system, the project consortium will undertake a subsystem optimisation process, incl usive of electrical and mechanical systems to bring the turbine to commercial readiness. Further testing will be completed at NAREC to validate the Nautilus drive train rig and a complete mechanical system review, redesign and sub-component testing progra mme will be undertaken to further improve reliability of the first tidal turbine arrays and enhance investor confidence in the sector.

This project will provide those seeking to invest in the initial tidal turbine arrays with a high degree of confidence in the reliability of the the technology. Drawing upon expertise throughout the European supply chain to develop a tidal turbine system that offers high performance and maximum reliability, a tidal turbine generator solutions that is characterized by higher efficiency, higher reliability and longer service intervals than the existing solutions due to more efficient and at the same time si mpler cooling system, and a fully commissioned on-shore drive train test rig. Reliability has proven to be a critical parameter in determining the lifetime cost of energy (LCoE) associated with offshore wind. Intervention for maintenance of tidal energy converters is arguably more difficult and costly than offshore wind turbines. Therefore reliability will hold further significance in the LCoE for tidal energy arrays. In recognition of this Atlantis, SmartMotor and the National Renewable Energy Centre ( NAREC) have embarked upon a comprehensive optimisation process for a tidal turbine, tidal turbine power take off system and a tidal turbine onshore drive train test rig. This process has started with the planned onshore testing of the AR1000 tidal turb ine on the Nautilus testing rig at NAREC. This testing will expose the electrical and mechanical systems of the AR1000 tidal turbine to a simulated tidal operating environment, providing information on the operation of the first line tidal turbines, Smart Motor generator and facilitating initial stages in the commissioning of the Nautilus onshore tidal turbine drive train test rig. Upon completion of a thorough design review of the prototype system, the project consortium will undertake a subsystem optimi sation process, inclusive of electrical and mechanical systems to bring the turbine to commercial readiness.