Sustainable Marine
Sustainable Marine was founded in 2012 to develop coastal and nearshore renewable energy solutions. Its goal was to power island and coastal communities, and energise the blue economy using sustainable forms of energy generation. Previous to EMEC demonstrations, the company tested a 100 kW PLAT-O prototype off the Isle of Wight.
Sustainable Marine signed up to a berth at the Fall of Warness tidal test site in April 2015, and its PLAT-O 1 MW tidal system arrived in Orkney in April 2016. PLAT-O was a moored buoyant platform, positioned mid-water column. It underwent wet testing at Hatston Pier, following by tow testing to and from the Fall of Warness tidal test site. In addition, the company demonstrated an innovative anchoring solution with a bespoke Anchoring Remotely Operated Vehicle (AROV) being used to install four subsea drilled rock anchors.
The testing programme at EMEC was supported by the Scottish Government with the award of nearly £1.3m from the WATERS3 programme, and the Interreg NWE FORESEA project led by EMEC.
Sustainable Marine then developed its next iteration of its floating tidal energy platform, the PLAT-I which was demonstrated in Canada which became the first floating in-stream tidal technology to generate power into the Nova Scotia grid. EMEC continued working with Sustainable Marine on the UMACK project to develop and demonstrate a generic foundation mooring solution to reduce cost and improve operations and maintenance methods.
Unfortunately, in August 2023, administrators were appointed following permitting issues in Canada resulting in the suspension of its Canadian operations and subsequent insolvency of its Canadian subsidiary in May 2023.
Related news
- October 2018: CorPower and Sustainable Marine Energy join forces to tackle foundations and moorings
- February 2017: Orkney – buzzing with marine energy development
- June 2016: SME installs subsea rock anchors at EMEC tidal site
- June 2016: SME wet tests PLAT-O ahead of EMEC deployment
- June 2016: SME showcase German/UK innovation at Battle of Jutland centenary
- February 2016: Sustainable Marine Energy buys 16 turbines from Schottel Hydro
- July 2015: Marine energy developers share knowledge at Component Analysis Workshop
- April 2015: Sustainable Marine Energy taking PLAT-O to EMEC
- March 2015: WATERS fund provides £3.7m for testing marine energy prototypes
