Press release: First phase of Tidal Array Cabling Project hailed a success
The first phase of a major project to investigate cost-effective methods of cable laying for tidal energy arrays has been hailed a success.
Funded by Scottish Enterprise, the £2.4m Tidal Array Cabling Solution project was launched in December 2013 to develop and demonstrate effective methods of locating, securing, protecting and retrieving cables for tidal energy arrays.
Stromness-based Aquatera was awarded a contract to undertake two demonstration projects. The first of these, completed in partnership with subsea engineering and training firm, Jee Ltd, involved the construction and deployment of Jee’s unique ‘U-tube’ cabling protection structure in Orkney.
The project involved lifting, moving, positioning and recovering the 50m long Jee cable protection system – thought to be the largest single dimensioned structure yet lifted, moved and placed for the wave and tidal sector. Tests of this innovative array cabling solution were carried out at EMEC’s Shapinsay Sound tidal test site.
Several support companies from Orkney’s marine energy supply chain also played a key role in the project, which saw a unique and novel configuration of local vessels used to install the 50m long structure.
The vessel spread used included a specialised heavy-lift barge – belonging to Stromness firm Green Marine – along with a tow vessel and MulticCat provided by Green Marine and a second MultiCat vessel operated by Scotmarine. These vessels were supported with a quayside duel crane lift by Heddle Construction. Management of the marine operation by Aquatera was backed up by Orcades Marine.
Aquatera’s Daniel Wise, who managed the operation, said the project partners were delighted with the outcome of the first phase of tests.
“Cable laying in other energy sectors and industries has traditionally been carried out by large and expensive offshore dynamic positioning (DP) vessels,” said Mr Wise. “However, the budgetary constraints within renewables require innovative thinking and more cost effective solutions.
“The installation, operation and recovery of the Jee Ltd cable protection structure was a unique, interesting and challenging marine operation, one which required meticulous planning and execution, but the barge and other vessels proved to be the ideal solution, with the operation running very smoothly.”
Mr Wise said the second project to test a range of different cable laying configurations would be completed later this year.
In the coming months Jee Ltd, alongside Aquatera, will be presenting the results of the trial demonstrations to Scottish Enterprise and their steering group members, along with other interested organisations from within the renewables sector.
Press release: Scottish Enterprise
