SeaGen

SeaGen

Commercial tidal stream generator — SeaGen — in Strangford Lough. The strong wake shows the power in the tidal current.
Location of SeaGen in Northern Ireland
Country Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Location Strangford Narrows between Strangford and Portaferry
Coordinates 54°22′7.2″N 5°32′45.8″W / 54.368667°N 5.546056°W / 54.368667; -5.546056Coordinates: 54°22′7.2″N 5°32′45.8″W / 54.368667°N 5.546056°W / 54.368667; -5.546056
Status Operational
Commission date April 2008
Power generation
Nameplate capacity 1.2 MW

SeaGen is the world's first large scale commercial tidal stream generator.[1][2][3] It was four times more powerful than any other tidal stream generator in the world at the time of installation.[4]

The first SeaGen generator was installed in Strangford Narrows between Strangford and Portaferry in Northern Ireland, UK in April 2008 and was connected to the grid in July 2008.[5] It generates 1.2 MW for between 18 and 20 hours a day while the tides are forced in and out of Strangford Lough through the Narrows.[6] Strangford Lough was also the site of the very first known tide mill in the world, the Nendrum Monastery mill where remains dating from 787 have been excavated.

Background

The SeaGen rotors can be raised above the surface for maintenance.
SeaGen's predecessor, the 300 kW 'SeaFlow' turbine off the north coast of Devon

Marine Current Turbines, the developer of SeaGen, demonstrated first prototype of tidal stream generator in 1994 with a 15 kilowatt system in Loch Linnhe, off the west coast of Scotland. In May 2003, the prototype for SeaGen, 'SeaFlow', was installed off the coast of Lynmouth, North Devon, England.[6] Seaflow was a single rotor turbine which generated 300 kW but was not connected to the grid. SeaFlow was the world's first offshore tidal generator, and remained the world's largest until SeaGen was installed.[7]

Technology

SeaGen generator weighs 300 tonnes.[3][8] each driving a generator through a gearbox like a hydro-electric or wind turbine. These turbines have a patented feature by which the rotor blades can be pitched through 180 degrees allowing them to operate in both flow directions – on ebb and flood tides. The company claims a capacity factor of 0.59 (average of the last 2000 hours). The power units of each system are mounted on arm-like extensions either side of a tubular steel monopile some 3 metres (9.8 ft) in diameter and the arms with the power units can be raised above the surface for safe and easy maintenance access.[1] The SeaGen was built at Belfast's Harland and Wolff's shipyards.[9]

Environmental impact

400 million gallons of water flow in and out of Strangford Lough twice a day.

SeaGen has been licensed to operate over a period of 5 years, during which there will be a comprehensive environmental monitoring programme to determine the precise impact on the marine environment.[10]

Problems

During the commissioning of the system a software error caused the blades of one of the turbines to be damaged. This left the turbine operating at half power until autumn 2008. The incident is being investigated and MCT is confident that it will not happen again.[11] Full power operation was finally achieved on 18 Dec 2008.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Douglas, C.A.; Harrison, G.P.; Chick, J.P. (2008). "Life cycle assessment of the Seagen marine current turbine" (PDF). Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part M: Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment. Professional Engineering Publishing. 222 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1243/14750902JEME94. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  2. ↑ "The rise of British sea power". The Independent. 2008-03-23. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  3. 1 2 Julian Rush (2008-03-31). "Power generation: the new wave". Channel 4. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  4. ↑ Arthur Strain (2008-02-08). "Sea change for energy generation". BBC. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  5. ↑ First connection to the grid
  6. 1 2 Brittany Sauser (2008-07-29). "Tidal Power Comes to Market. A large-scale tidal-power unit has started up in Northern Ireland". Technology Review Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  7. ↑ "Case Studies for Schools: Tidal Power". Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  8. ↑ "World's first as £12m turbine installed in Strangford Lough". Belfast Telegraph. 2008-03-31. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  9. ↑ Henry McDonald (2008-03-31). "Tidal power comes to Northern Ireland". Guardian. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  10. ↑ David G Erwin. "Environmental monitoring, liaison and consultation concerning the MCT Strangford Lough Turbine" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  11. ↑ "Delay in commissioning one of SeaGen's rotors". Marine Current Turbines. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  12. ↑ "Tidal energy system on full power". BBC. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
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