• Renewable energy

Tidal energy flying high

Solving complex technical and logistical problems to help get low-velocity tidal energy project into the water.

The team at James Fisher Marine Services (JFMS) is building on its reputation as a key player in tidal energy after being picked to work with marine energy developer, Minesto on the installation of the first innovative ‘flying turbine’ for its new site in north Wales.

After several years of prototype testing, Minesto is now being commissioned to install the first of its tidal turbines. This installation marks the next step towards the commercialisation of Minesto’s unique tidal kite marine technology which will be expanded to form a planned 10MW array in Holyhead Deep.

Minesto picked JFMS as a partner for this project on the back of JFMS’s experience of working with almost all UK tidal energy installations (as well as high profile projects for Sabella in France), plus expertise in conditions of high tidal flow and an ability to meet the specific challenges presented by the fact that the Holyhead Deep site is situated in deeper water (around 80m) than usual.

David Collier, chief operating officer at Minesto, says:

‘We were delighted with the support we received from JFMS. It was great to be able to draw on the company’s resources to resolve complex technical and logistical problems with simple solutions that the JFMS team have acquired through experience.’

JFMS has provided a number of specialists for the job including a subsea operations manager, dynamic positioning supervisor, heavy lift experts, project engineers and riggers. JFMS engineers designed the deck layout and seafasatenings for the work of Island Vanguard.

The JFMS team joined the Minesto project team onshore in Holyhead to help install the tidal turbine substructure which includes a concrete ‘caisson’ floodable gravity base and subsea cabling. It went on to support the installation of a micro grid system buoy (catenary moored) which receives the electricity generated and analyses power output and performance.

Paul Scullion, managing director of JFMS project division, adds:

'We have some very talented engineers, consultants and technicians at JFMS and it is a pleasure to be able to support Minesto as this hugely significant project draws closer to full commercialisation.’

 

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