Press release: ITEG project progress – Orbital contract FAUN Trackway for anchor fabrication of O2 turbine
Orbital Marine Power Ltd (Orbital), have selected FAUN Trackway® to manufacture the anchors for their new O2 tidal turbine at FAUN Trackway®’s facilities in Llangefni, North Wales as part of the ITEG (Integrating Tidal Energy into the European Grid) project funded by Interreg NWE.
As pace gathers around the manufacture of the O2 turbine, FAUN Trackway® have been engaged to manufacture four steel anchor structures, along with bespoke mooring connectors, that will be installed in the Fall of Warness, Orkney where Orbital have a berth and grid connection with the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).
The O2 is an optimised version of Orbital’s hugely successful SR2000 turbine which produced in excess of 3 GWh of electricity over its initial 12 month continuous test programme at EMEC. The Orbital O2, rated at 2MW, is due to enter operation at EMEC later in 2020.
The anchors are being manufactured as part of the ITEG project which aims to address grid constraints in remote communities through combining tidal energy generation with hydrogen production.
FAUN Trackway Limited (Credit Faun Trackway)
Commenting on the contract award Orbital CEO, Andrew Scott, said:
“This is a transformational project for Orbital, and for the tidal sector, and these anchors will have the important job of holding the O2 on station so it can generate gigawatt hours of clean, predictable power from the strong tides we have around Orkney – so we are delighted to be engaging the experience and precision of FAUN Trackway® for this critical supply.”
Gareth Williams, Engineering Manager for FAUN Trackway®, said:
“We’re excited to get involved and provide value to this great project. The manufacture of the anchor structures and bespoke mooring connections will fully utilise our design for manufacture (DFM), engineering and production methodologies to provide a cost effective solution for Orbital. Components will be manufactured, tested, inspected and coated to stringent DNV standards to ensure the high integrity components stand the test of time”.
David Jones, Director for Marine Energy Wales, said:
“This is another example of how the marine energy sector is providing supply chain companies across the UK with diversification opportunities. It is really positive to see FAUN moving into this innovative low carbon sector successfully and for Welsh companies to be supporting world leading UK tidal developers.”
The O2 turbine has received funding from Interreg North-West Europe funded ITEG project and the EU Horizon 2020 FloTEC project.
Orbital Marine Power O2 tidal device (Credit: Orbital Marine Power)
SOURCE: Orbital Marine Power
