Press Release: Magallanes Renovables gears up for OCEAN_2G deployment to EMEC

OCEAN_2G Magallanes platform – the ATIR (Credit: Magallanes)

Spanish tidal energy developer Magallanes Renovables have entered into a berth agreement with EMEC, where their tidal energy prototype is due to be demonstrated in the next phase of the OCEAN_2G project.

Funded by the Fast Track to Innovation pilot scheme, part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, OCEAN_2G aims to test, validate and pre-certify Magallanes’ second generation (2G) 2MW tidal platform – ‘ATIR’.

Following the launch of the OCEAN_2G project in Vigo, Spain in 2017, Magallanes Renovables have been validating their ATIR prototype in the controlled marine environment at Vigo bay as part of a structured test programme which has seen power being generated via tow tests.

Alejandro Marques de Magallanes, CEO, Magallanes Renovables, is delighted with the progress that has been made so far:

“We’ve been busy testing our device here in Vigo and we are pleased to have already successfully generated electric power during our towing tests. We will continue to optimise the system in order to extract more energy, to ensure the device is performing to its optimum capability.”

The next steps will see the full-scale device being towed to Orkney. The operational performance of the system will then be demonstrated at EMEC’s grid-connected tidal test site at the Fall of Warness.

EMEC’s Managing Director, Neil Kermode, adds:

“We look forward to welcoming Magallanes Renovables back to Orkney after the success of previous tests at EMEC in 2014. This project is yet another positive step change for the tidal energy market and 2018 is shaping up to be another busy year at our test centre.”

Led by SAGRES – Magallanes Renovables’ parent company – the OCEAN_2G project consortium bring together EMEC, Orkney-based marine services provider Leask Marine, and electrical specialists IM FutuRe.