Tidal stream energy comes to Japan
Scottish-built tidal turbine and generation equipment is now producing electricity in Japan for a pilot project.
Sustainable energy generation company Simec Atlantis Energy (SAE) has designed and manufactured the equipment for use in the Goto Island chain, where it has clocked its first 10MWh of generation within the first 10 days of operation.
The project included leasing tidal generation equipment and providing offshore construction services to Kyuden Mirai Energy (KME) for the pilot turbine located in the straits of Naru Island.
The AR500 tidal turbine was assembled at SAE’s operations and maintenance base at Nigg Energy Park in Scotland. The turbine was assembled and tested in nine weeks before shipping to Japan.
Offshore construction of the tidal generation equipment took just five days to complete, beginning with the laying of the cable, landing of the foundation structure and ballast to the sea floor, connection of the cable, and finally the installation of the turbine to the foundation.