OpenHydro lays Orkney tidal array plans

OpenHydro, a DCNS company, plans to deploy an array of two tidal turbines at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

OpenHydro has received the approval from the Scottish licensing body Marine Scotland to install a demonstration array in Orkney’s waters that would feature two OpenHydro’s open-center tidal turbines.

The license, granted in April 2017, allows OpenHydro to generate electricity in excess of 1MW at EMEC’s Fall of Warness grid-connected tidal test site.

The exact dates for the delivery of the project have not been revealed yet, but the license remains in force until December 31, 2043.

OpenHydro was the first developer to use the tidal test site at the Fall of Warness off the island of Eday when its test rig and 250kW open-centered turbine were installed in 2006.

The device was the first tidal turbine to be grid connected in Scotland and subsequently the first to successfully generate electricity to the national grid in the UK, according to EMEC.

Tidal Energy Today has reached out to OpenHydro to seek more information regarding the project. Should OpenHydro respond, the article will be updated accordingly.