By BusinessGreen staff, Source: Business Green

Magallanes test turbine installation at the EMEC

A prototype floating tidal energy turbine is being trialled at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

Developed by Spanish company Magallanes, the 1:10 scale ‘ATIR’ device was successfully deployed last week at the centre in the Orkney Islands.

Magallanes has been developing the concept of using a floating platform to obtain energy from tidal currents since 2007 and has trialled previous prototypes in test tank and river conditions. The latest trial marks a first step towards testing a full-scale prototype next year. The device, currently in construction, will be 42 metres long and weigh fully 350 tons.

“This test project allows us to demonstrate the integrity and viability of the concept and its subsystems in a real sea climate, and help inform the construction of our 2MW floating platform to ensure a stable and optimal design,” said company managing director Alejandro Marquis de Magallanes in a statement. “One of the most important steps was to discover maintenance needs, as well as gaining operational experience at sea.”

Read the full article at: Business Green