Case ref: MLA/2014/00119/1
Licence ref: L/2014/00115

Case summary

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Project description

PLAT-O Prototype - Initial trials at Yarmouth
PLAT-O is a systems integration platform on which a range of tidal turbines can be deployed irrespective of water depth. PLAT-O reacts the buoyancy of the installed structure against a taut mooring system anchored into the seabed. The interaction between these elements produces a rigid platform to support tidal turbines, similar to a fixed structure, in normal operating conditions. The buoyancy is tuned to ensure that in extreme conditions the mooring system allows for the dissipation of large wave-induced loads

PLAT-O will record sub-surface environmental conditions; such as wave induced water particle velocities and direction, tidal height, tidal stream velocity and direction and the turbidity of water using a novel, taut moored sub-surface platform.

Scientific measurements of the platform’s performance will also be recorded to assess its suitability to host hydrokinetic energy conversion devices (commonly known as tidal turbines, tidal energy converters, or hydro generators) in sites with aggressive tidal streams. Instrumentation will record: loads experienced in the mooring lines, platform accelerations, translations and rotations, thrust force produced by the hydro generators, stresses and strains within structure. The data will be time stamped and processed together to establish the correlation between environmental conditions and behaviour of the platform.

The platform will be operated manually with all the power electronic and control systems mounted on board a vessel that will remain on station at the site for the duration of the project, estimated to be up to four weeks.

This scientific testing campaign is being largely funded by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and is an extension of scientific tank testing undertaken in partnership with Cranfield University at Institut Français de Recherche pour L'exploitation de La mer (IFREMER) in France and will be utilised to validate the results obtained in the recirculating water channel.

Other information

Applicant details

Mr   Jason Hayman / +44 1983 297145 / jason.hayman@sustainablemarine.com
SUSTAINABLE MARINE ENERGY LIMITED / Trinity Wharf, Trinity Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight / PO32 6RF
14-MAR-2014
Not validated
02-MAY-2014
07-AUG-2014
Completed