Frimley, UK, 2014-Jun-11
Narec, The National Renewable Energy Centre, Blyth
The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s (ORE Catapult), National
Renewable Energy Centre has completed a multi-axis onshore endurance
test programme on Siemens-owned Marine Current Turbines’ (MCT) first
1MW powertrain (gearbox, generator and power conditioning equipment)
using the 3MW tidal turbine drive train testing facility.
During the 11 month test programme the 1MW turbine was exposed to the
full range of power output and aggressive loadings the device would experience
subsea, securing performance data equivalent to over 18 years’ of
operation in the worlds’ harshest tidal cycles.
Working together, the technical teams conducted a complete range of tests
on the power train and its key components including the gearbox, power
electronics and grid connection, in a controlled environment simulating the
thrust and oscillating torque of extreme sea conditions. This type of testing
was essential to understand how the whole system would be expected to
perform in real offshore conditions before first array deployment.
Sven Stoye, Chief Executive Officer of MCT said:
“We are very pleased to announce the successful completion of this
significant milestone. In demonstrating an equivalent life in excess of 18
years we have completed another industry first. Together with over six year’s
successful deployment of SeaGen in Strangford Lough and more than 9GWh
of electricity generation, we are confident that the technology that is planned
for the Skerries Array in 2016 will be world-class.”
“We would like to thank National Renewable Energy Centre for their work and
foresight in providing the sector with the Nautilus testing facility, which has
demonstrated its extensive capabilities in this testing programme”.
Tony Quinn, operations director, ORE Catapult said:
“This has been a tremendous learning experience for everyone involved, and
has provided vital information to aid our knowledge and understanding of the
capabilities of the 3MW capacity drive train test facility.”
“For the first time, we have been able to utilise the capability of the Force
Actuation System (FAS) to simulate extremely aggressive accelerated lifecycle
tests. Proving the performance and efficiency of the technology is pivotal
in helping the tidal current industry to gain substantial confidence in new marine
energy devices and spearhead the industry’s expansion.”
Contact for journalists:
Siemens plc
Rachel Odams, tel: 07808 824209
E-mail: rachel.odams@siemens.com
For further information and press pictures, please see: www.siemens.co.uk/press
Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/siemensuknews
Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 170 years ago and now employs 13,760
people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £3.36 billion*. As the world’s largest engineering
company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges
across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare.
Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey.
The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit
www.siemens.co.uk
* Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue reported
in annual
Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult)
ORE Catapult is one of seven Catapult centres established by the Technology Strategy
Board with over £1.4bn of public and private sector investment expected over the next five
years. The Catapults bridge the gap between business, academia, research and government
to promote and nurture technology innovation.
The ORE Catapult has merged with the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec), creating
a unique organisation that combines deep technical knowledge with world-class testing
facilities. It works in collaboration with industry and academia to provide engineering, technical
and commercial expertise and facilities to speed up the delivery, commercialisation and
scalability of technology innovation to meet the challenges of harnessing low-carbon power
from offshore wind, wave and tidal energy.
