Low Carbon Energy Startup Wins Crown Contract for 30MW Tidal Project

Although it may not contain fossils, hydropower presents a unique set of challenges. The initial costs are high, and in many cases they can be invasive and destructive to local communities and biodiversity. In addition, it will probably become more susceptible to drought. But what if you could harness the power of the ocean itself?

This is what Scotland-based Orbital Marine Power is aiming for with its 2MW+ O2.this is Developer It claims to be the world’s most powerful tidal turbine in commercial operation and the result of 15 years of refinement.

Orbital has now won an option contract from Crown Estate Scotland for a new tidal energy project at Westray Firth. This is the waters of the Orkney Islands where tidal velocities sometimes exceed her 3m/s.

Add Tidal Turbine to Marine Energy Center

Low-carbon energy start-ups already have 1 unit of O2 european Marine Energy Center (EMEC) supplying energy to the UK grid from July 2021. Following the awarding of contracts for difference (CfD) – the UK government’s key mechanism Supporting low-carbon power generation – From last year’s allocation round 4, three more turbines are ready to be installed.

Basically, tidal turbines work in the same way as wind turbines, except that it is the flow of water, not the air, that drives the wind turbine. Orbital’s floating O2 platform is 243 feet long, placed in the tidal current and moored to the seafloor via strong anchors that hold it in place. It is connected to the local power grid via submarine cables.

This device catches powerful water currents with underwater rotors mounted on adjustable legs. Engineering and maintenance allows the legs to be lifted out of the water for better access. Additionally, the rotor design can be reversed to adapt to different tidal cycles.

Part of the broader UK net-zero strategy

Orbital will place the new part of the Orkney project adjacent to EMEC. The option contract is for 30MW, which the company says equates to about a dozen new he O2 tidal turbine devices across the site. Orbital also ensured that the necessary grid connectivity was in place to serve the project.

Orbital Marine Power CEO Andrew Scott said of securing the Crown Agreement:

“As the UK seeks to accelerate the decarbonization of its energy system, we firmly believe that the Tidal Project can bring unique benefits while leveraging fully predictable and safe renewable energy sources. We are proud to be able to build on that vision in Orkney with our investment in the project.”

Last year, Orbital received a strategic investment from French-American offshore oil contractor TechnipFMC to “accelerate market expansion and deployment,” and TechnipFMC became a shareholder in the company.

Ocean energy could play a major role in the energy transition, but must scale rapidly

When it comes to renewable energy, the ocean certainly has a lot to offer. Tidal power projects have long had great potential, but are still an untapped energy source. In its 2018 report, the IEA defined offshore renewable power generation as “Rising force of global energy”

However, to reach the target output of 27.0TWh by 2030 in a net-zero scenario by 2050, deployment will have to be much faster. This means that from now until the end of the decade, it should grow at a rate of over 33% per year. This will require a few of his O2s from Orbital.

But things are getting better.As reported by power technologyin the UK, four projects have been awarded contracts for a total of 4.08MW in 2022.

Encourage seeing positive signals from @energygovuk In their announcement today there was a ring fence permit to support #tidalenergy In AR5 of this year’s contract for difference scheme. 🙌https://t.co/1YbxIWIrkN

— Orbital Marine Power (@Orbitalmarine) March 16, 2023

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael commented on the new project with Orbital:

“These are exciting times for tidal energy. The progress of Orbital’s Westray project is a vote of confidence in the potential of this island and precisely why expanding the Orkneys grid capacity has been so important. is showing.

“This good news is also evidence of the need for a stronger strategy from the government on unfolding the tide, including continued and expanded support in contracts for the next round of funding. must continue to be strengthened.”

With many tidal and ocean energy start-ups vying for the coast around the UK, perhaps this technology could be one of the keys to non-invasive, discreet and reliable renewable energy generation. Shake it and see.