The Subsea Power Hub ocean current energy conversion system has been fully installed and switched-on at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney.
The unit is being tested at the Shapinsay Sound test site and is currently performing in line with technical forecasts. The next step is to leave the hub running 100% autonomously with wireless data monitoring over the summer months.
This testing validates the technical capability of the system which has been designed to fulfil the need for cost-effective and reliable subsea power. This subsea hybrid drive system uses a combination of a marine energy convertor coupled directly to a lithium based energy storage system.
Robert Cowman, Engineering Director at Aberdeen-based developer EC-OG said: “Although the weather was not on our side, we were still able to successfully complete the installation and commence testing ahead of schedule.
“The system is performing very well and I’m pleased at how quickly the results are correlating with the theoretical basis for the test. Having a vertical axis turbine, (pictured) means that the SPH is operating effectively in these unpredictable, sporadic flow conditions.”
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