Narec selected for testing Siemens’ tidal turbine

The National Renewable Energy Centre, Narec, has announced that it will test the prototype power train for the SeaGen-S 2 megawatt (MW) device developed by Siemens-owned Marine Current Turbines (MCT).  The six-month programme at Narec in Northumberland will focus on validating the new 1MW power train (comprising low-speed thrust bearings, gearbox and generator), as well as the power conversion, control system and grid interface.

The Narec facility will perform extensive characterisation and endurance testing of the tidal turbine power trains which will serve to prove the quality of the design prior to deployment in tidal power plant arrays. Testing will begin this summer and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

MCT develop Wales’ first commercial tidal energy farm

This follows the Welsh Government giving its approval to the development of the Skerries Tidal Stream Array, which will be Wales’ first commercial tidal energy farm. The Skerries tidal array, one of the largest of its kind to be consented in the UK, will be developed by MCT and will supply up to 10,000 homes.

Following commissioning, the array, located 1km off the north-west coast of Anglesey in North Wales, will consist of five SeaGen 2MW tidal stream turbines, in approximately 20m to 40m water depth.

SeaGen is the first proven full-scale commercial tidal turbine developed by MCT.

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