08 August 2012

James Fisher provides load measurement solution for stream generator installation:

• Supports the validation of a ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest’s leading tidal turbine technology towards the realization of commercial scale arrays
• High quality, in-house developed solutions using the proven technologies and capabilities of companies within the James Fisher group
• Developments that further underscore the commitment of James Fisher to the marine renewable sector

To support the commissioning and initial testing of the 100ft-high 1MW Hammerfest Strom HS1000 tidal stream generator, recently installed on the seabed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland, Strainstall – a member of the James Fisher and Sons plc group – has provided specialist load measurement technology.

The innovative 1MW tidal stream generator was successfully installed at the EMEC in late 2011 and commissioned in the early months of 2012. This latest installation is being used as part of an enhanced commissioning exercise, to help validate that the technology can be used as part of the world’s first tidal turbine array in the Sound of Islay, for which planning consent has already been provided.

To achieve the level of control and monitoring required during the upcoming offshore operation,Hammerfest selected the Strainstall Type 5200 tensile load link. Manufactured from high quality stainless steel, this product provides a high quality load cell capable of operation in the most arduous of environments.

“The Strainstall family of tensile load links are just one many products that we can offer to our partners in the offshore wind and marine renewable energy sectors,” said Simon Everitt, managing director, Strainstall UK. “With the unprecedented increases of activity in the offshore wind, wave and tidal stream renewable energy resources around UK territorial waters, Strainstall – along with other James Fisher and Sons plc member companies – is able to provide customers in this sector with a comprehensive range of innovative products, services and enabling technologies based on our longstanding global expertise in marine engineering and subsea operations.”

“Strainstall’s immediate responsiveness and product availability has meant that we can achieve the assurance we need for this critical operation”, commented Rupert Raymond, Lead Installation Engineer at Andritz Hydro Hammerfest.

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