Case Study

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 21/01/2018

We provided design and mechanical engineering support to Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd. during the concept design and detail design of their game changing floating turbine platform "PLAT-I", which was successfully installed and commissioned in Connel Sound, Western Scotland at the end of 2017 ahead of being redeployed to the Philippines to be connected to the grid in early 2018

The Project

We are delighted to share that the end of 2017 our client Sustainable Marine Energy (SME) https://sustainablemarine.com/ successfully launched and commissioned a game changing floating tidal energy platform “PLAT-I” at Connel Sound, near Oban in Western Scotland.

PLAT-I is a multiple turbine floating tidal energy platform hosting four Schottel Instream Turbines (SITs) with a total output of 280kW, and an accessible power conversion system hosted in an on-board container.

Read more about the SIT here: https://www.schottel.de/schottel-hydro/sit-instream-turbine/

Featuring modular trimaran design, the platform is 32 meters long, with a beam of 27 meters.

PLAT-I is designed for inshore tidal sites to provide power at a community scale. According to SME, it proves that tidal energy is a viable clean energy alternative for coastal and island off-takers with limited infrastructure, who may traditionally use diesel power generation.

After the trials in Scotland, PLAT-I will be deployed in the Philippines as part of a grid-connected, first commercial demonstrator array project in the country.

What did we do?

As with our previous projects Orion Product Development fully integrated with the in-house engineering team, supporting the various stages of iterative concept design for the platform herself, as well as completing the concept and detail design, calculations and drafting of the SIT Deployment Module (SDM). The SDM is the modular structural member onto which each turbine is physically mounted and allows each of them to be quickly and safely lifted out of the water for maintenance and reduces the depth of water required for launching and tow-out.

Our “top-down”, or total system, approach helped to identify several opportunities for cost reductions and performance improvements during the project, adding significant value throughout.

For further information and to arrange a discussion about how we can similarly help your business, please contact us to arrange a free no-obligation consultation.

 

We have continued to use Kevin’s services based on the high quality of work he has produced for us on previous projects.  He is always extremely innovative and capable, and we value his ability to convert our ideas into excellent engineering solutions, often under the added pressure of very compressed timescales and tight budget.  He adds significant value to any project team and we would have no hesitation in continuing to engage his services or to recommend him to others.

Andrew Hunt, Engineering Manager, Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd

Images and Videos shared with kind permission from Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd.

 

Customer Profile

Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd (SME) is a marine engineering company, focused on bringing a cost-effective solution to the tidal energy market. SME is aiming to deliver the next generation technology that will challenge the current tidal energy industry on price and performance. Based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, SME has access to a wealth of maritime knowledge from an area steeped in marine innovation and history.

Company Size:
Small

Product Complexity:
Very High

Product Value:
Medium

Production Volumes:
Low to Medium