Smooth operator - Thor of Scapa assists with reinstallation of tidal turbine

One of the Council’s new tugs – Thor of Scapa – assisted in the smooth reinstallation of a tidal turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre Fall of Warness test site last week.

Tributes were paid to the skills of the local crews of both the Orkney Towage tug and Leask Marine who managed the 8-hour installation.

EMEC has welcomed back the Spanish tidal energy developer Magallanes Renovables to their site and are delighted with the successful reinstallation of the Magallanes’ second generation 2 MW tidal platform “ATIR”.

In the coming weeks, the ATIR will be connected to the national electricity grid.

Magallanes Renovables has been developing its tidal technology for over 12 years and tested a scale version of the ATIR at EMEC’s Shapinsay Sound test site in 2014.

The 2 MW ATIR platform was initially launched in 2017 and underwent vigorous tow testing in Vigo, Spain, prior to being installed and connected to the national grid at EMEC in Orkney in 2019. Whilst at EMEC the ATIR completed a structured test programme to optimise the system including validation, generation and operational maintenance tests were carried out.

In order to further optimise the performance of the ATIR, Magallanes transported the platform to the dry dock of Dales Marine in Edinburgh in 2020 for maintenance, supported by GAP, Leask Marine, Briggs Marine and Forth Port. The maintenance was no mean feat, having to position the platform horizontally in the sea by using a system of buoys to fit into the dry dock via the locks. During this positioning operation in Leith, maintenance tasks were carried out to optimise the platform, including antifouling and performance verification, all of which will allow the platform to operate more efficiently.

Alejandro Marques de Magallanes, CEO and Founder, Magallanes Renovables, explained: “We are very pleased to have demonstrated that it is possible to build, launch, install, operate and maintain a tidal platform, in order to generate energy from tidal currents. We are delighted to again have successfully reinstalled the ATIR at EMEC.

“This is a great achievement for our dedicated team, and we are now ready to take the next step to start generating electricity into the national grid in the near future.”

EMEC’s Operations and Technology Director, Jonathan Lindsay, added: “We are delighted to welcome Magallanes back to EMEC following testing in 2019. Their innovation, hard work and determination to drive forward the development of their tidal technology is admirable, and we wish them well in their next phase of testing.

“Here in Orkney we are continuing to drive forward and support the development of marine renewable technology, with more marine energy devices having been tested at the EMEC than at any other location in the world.

“With innovative companies like Magallanes choosing to demonstrate technologies in Scotland, it has led to the development of the world’s most experienced supply chain for marine energy. This successful operation has highlighted the skills of Leask Marine and our Local Harbour Authority tugs.”

Jim Buck, OIC Head of Marine Services, Transportation and Harbour Master, said: “We are delighted to continue our collaborative working with EMEC and Magallanes Renovables in their ongoing venture to unlock the future of renewable energy. This was the second time our Orkney Towage tugs have been involved in the successful deploy of the device – the first time using the tug Erlend, and now with Thor of Scapa – one of our two new tugs that joined our fleet last year. Despite the strong tidal conditions in the area, the vessel handled very well allowing the service to continue playing a key role to try and ensure a greener, sustainable future for the benefit of our environment and everything within.”