Signing ceremonyHydroWing

HydroWing inks deal to support and develop tidal energy projects in Indonesia

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HydroWing signs MoU

Tocardo’s 50% shareholder has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with state-owned company Indonesia Power to support and develop tidal energy projects in Indonesia. The MoU between Indonesia Power and HydroWing, was signed early September 2022, it will accelerate tidal energy development in Indonesia through site identification, resource assessment and front-end engineering.

Increasing demand for renewables

With increasing cost of fossil fuels, energy transition from Diesel generators and coal power plants to renewable energies are vital for lots of remote islands in the eastern Indonesian archipelago. Both teams will jointly study selected sites in coming weeks to build a first of a kind business case and pilot project. Together with solar energy and battery storage, tidal energy will provide the baseload of a reliant and clean energy system. Teams have jointly visited the first site late September to prepare a resource assessment campaign to be organised before the end of 2022. This deployment will be the first tidal energy power plant in Indonesia.

Quotes

Ahsin Sidqi, Indonesia Power President Director said: “Right now Indonesia Power has 100 year O&M competency in Hydro, hopefully with this collaboration with Hydrowing as a technology provider, Indonesia Power obtains another new competency as a power generation company in the country, to become a trusted energy solution provider. Indonesia Power and Hydrowing together will explore more potential development of Tidal Power Plant in Indonesia.”

Richard Parkinson, HydroWing Managing Director said: “We view Indonesia as a prime market for our technology with an excellent resource and increasing demand for clean and reliable energy. This MOU with Indonesia Power, is pivotal for us and our local partners to move rapidly towards significant commercial scale projects in the Archipelago”

 

 

Subhub with Tocardo T-1

QED Naval launches Seedrs crowdfunding campaign

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Crowdfunding campaign QED Naval

Tocardo’s shareholder QED Naval has launched a crowdfunding campaign to complete the deployment of its Subhub tidal platform and Tocardo T-1 turbines at Yarmouth Tidal Test Centre. QED launched the campaign, valued at £15 million, on the Seedrs platform, and is looking to supercharge the companies growth by bringing investors on board as shareholders.

Onshore testing completed

The turbines have been shipped autumn 2021 to Pembroke Dock for integration with the Subhub. After having mounted three Tocardo’s T-1 turbines onboard the Subhub platform at Mainstay Marine Solutions. QED Naval is now gearing up to deploy the community demonstrator (CD) device for real sea trials.

Yarmouth Tidal Test Centre

The upcoming trials will be done at the Yarmouth Tidal Test Centre. The purpose is to demonstrate how tidal energy can be quickly and cost-effectively deployed and maintained over large distances and a broad range of weather conditions. Furthermore, the trials will serve for the validation of associated design tools and processes.

About Subhub

The self-deploying foundation system Subhub is a platform designed to support the commissioning, testing, transportation, and installation of an array of tidal turbines. QED Naval’s self-deploying platform can cut costs of deploying and maintaining turbines by circa 60% and, by clever hydrodynamic design, can improve yields from the site by up to 48%.

Morlais tidal siteTocardo

HydroWing to demonstrate next generation Tocardo Turbines at Morlais

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30 MW at Morlais

HydroWing Ltd have been awarded a berth with 30 MW potential at Morlais a tidal site located in Angelsey, Wales, and operated by Menter Môn. The company plans a phased approach starting with a commercial demonstrator project in 2023 which will be operated by HydroWing’s newly established Welsh entity: HydroWing Tidal Projects Ltd. The initial project looks to cement the technology at the site, grow the Welsh team and develop the essential strong local supply chains and stakeholder relations to subsequently enable roll out toward the full 30 MW.
The device will be installed using the recently acquired Inyanga Entsha the new Dynamically-Positioned (DP2) Multi-Purpose Vessel. The Entsha, powered by DC Electric Propulsion, offers 35% increased energy efficiency leading to very low fuel consumption and high reliability unlocking efficient processes for the HydroWing’s installation, Operation and Maintenance. The vessel is currently in Appledore, Devon, where it is being upgraded with intelligent launch and recovery systems. Inyanga Entsha in combination with Tocardo’s reliable turbines and a low-cost mobilisation strategy are key to ensuring that tidal energy can compete with other renewable energy technologies.

Inyanga Entsha

HydroWing will work closely with the local supply chain in North Wales to deliver this demonstration phase. This commitment is strengthened with the joining of Marine Energy Wales cluster in early 2022. The front-end engineering design is currently being undertaken and over the next months HydroWing will undertake detailed analysis and design to ensure optimised configuration of the turbines.

Tocardo Tidal Turbines

The HydroWing device has been inspired by the Tocardo’s flagship OTP Project and the world’s largest single installation of tidal turbines (5 turbines). This 1.25 MW project has operated on the Eastern Scheldt barrier since 2015 with turbines arranged on a wing in a similar configuration to the HydroWing. The proven long term robustness, reliability and remote-control capability gives confidence to developing arrays of turbines on HydroWing. The key advantages of these turbines, aside from the proven reliability, is the compact nature of the device, allowing low-cost logistics using standard containers.

Tocardo OTP

This project will demonstrate the next generation Tocardo T-2si Turbines configured into the HydroWing Structure. The new turbines will feature enhanced blade performance and control innovation to provide low cost, clean, predictable and reliable electricity to the Local Grid. The new turbines integrated with HydroWing configuration will reduce the CAPEX while retaining the excellent robust reliability for which Tocardo are renowned.

Tocardo T-2si

The five installed turbines on the Eastern Scheldt barrier have each accumulated 6 years of operation with 95% availability proving it to be a robust, reliable, and low-cost system with limited need for physical intervention- giving confidence to integrating these turbines into HydroWing’s subsea system to take advantage of tidal sector’s biggest market segment.

HydroWing Technology

The HydroWing is a multi-rotor subsea device with three turbines mounted on a wing like structure which is stabbed onto a sub-structure, a modular gravity-based frame mounted on the seabed.

The device can be a single or double wing, depending on the depth of water at the site. The key advantages of the technology are the enhanced redundancy of the multi-rotor system and the high packing density capable of extracting 275 MW/km² of seabed space with robust simplicity and reduced CAPEX. The Power is integrated through the patented Turbine Control Hub mounted in the wing and electrical/ data connection is via wet mate connectors, allowing quick and simple installation and recovery.

Quotes

Richard Parkinson, MD HydroWing: “We are very excited to demonstrate our HydroWing with the next generation Turbines at Morlais. Our key objective is to demonstrate that tidal energy can be cost competitive versus other renewable energy sources. We look forward to working with the local supply chain and collaborating with other developers at Morlais.”

Andries van Unen, CEO Tocardo: “For Tocardo, the development of the T-2si turbine marks an important milestone on the technology roadmap and will open the door to the offshore tidal market. With the HydroWing, our expertise, business partners and existing technology base, the Morlais project is the perfect stepping stone for Tocardo to determine our course and to claim our position in the market.”

Gerallt Llewelyn Jones, SRO Morlais Energy: “Morlais welcomes Inyanga and we look forward to a productive relationship in progressing this important industry and creating benefits for the local and regional economy.”

Tocardo T-1

Shipment of three Tocardo T-1 tidal turbines

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Three T-1 turbines delivered in Pembroke

On behalf of the board of Tocardo BV I’m proud to share this news with the rest of the world.  After winning the tender last year, preparations, procurement, lots of manhours and persistence we have managed to ship three Tocardo T-1 tidal turbines. The bi-directional turbines have been successfully transported towards Pembroke dock where they will be installed on QED Naval’s Subhub community scale platform. The full systems integration will be conducted at the quayside. This is much safer and logistically easier than connecting up tidal turbine systems offshore.

The T-1 turbine

The T-1 is Tocardo’s community scale solution. By generating energy in a predictable and cost-effective way the T-1 is the best tidal turbine in its market segment with power outputs ranging from 40 to 100 kW. Due to its relatively small size, it can be installed in shallow waters (4 meters and deeper). The turbines are made to last with very minimal maintenance. The design lifetime is at least 20 years.

Cutting down LCOE

Logistics operations have a significant impact on the LCOE of our technology. We are convinced that it is better to install a larger number of medium sized turbines; turbines that can be brought to a (remote) project location by means of regular available (road) transport. The three Tocardo T-1’s will be utilized on the novel Subhub design. Subhub is a submersible, gravity based, foundation platform that supports every need of tidal turbines through life. After the system integration at the quayside the cost for the installation offshore is quite low because for the deployment QED Naval will be using low-cost harbor tugs only.

A big thank you

A big thank you goes out to: the team, contractors and all supply chain partners who helped us with their service and expertise to achieve this new milestone for Tocardo BV.

Marine Energy WalesMarine Energy Wales

State of the sector 2021 report – Marine Energy Wales

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Marine Energy Wales

Wales is working hard to gain the early mover advantage to position itself as a global leader for the marine energy sector. Marine Energy Wales brings together technology developers, supply chain, academia and the public sector. Recently Marine Energy Wales published their state of the sector report edition 2021. Furthermore, Marine Energy Wales works to create a supportive policy environment to ensure that Wales remains one of the hotspots for emerging technologies such as tidal energy. Based upon their latest insights they are successful; the investment in the sector increased.

Investment in the marine energy sector has increased for the fifth year in a row

The 2021 State of the Sector report – published July 20th – details the recent developments in the industry, and looks forward to what the future has to offer. The key message of this report is: investment in the marine energy sector has increased for the fifth year in a row. Twenty emerging developers are progressing projects in Wales. In addition, four test and demonstration sites are under development. You can download the full report here: State of the Sector 2021

The importance of Welsh developments for Tocardo

In view of the region’s scale and ambitions, we closely monitor these developments. Not least because our JV partners have ambitions to install capacity on the Morlais tidal site. Wales has benefitted from our ambitions already with QED Naval establishing itself here and from recent orders and, as QED sets about acquiring site options for the future.

Jeremy Smith & Keith Murray

QED is now showcasing its community scale Subhub platform equiped with our robust and proven Tocardo T-1 tidal turbines. Furthermore, QED is building its next generation 1 MW industrial scale platform.

SubhubQED Naval

Contract award – Supply of Tidal Turbines and Service Contract to QED Naval Ltd

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Contract award

We are proud to announce that Tocardo has been awarded the contract to supply three tidal turbines to QED Naval for their Subhub platform. The renowned Tocardo T-1 turbines have been selected by QED Naval to be combined with their innovative, self-deploying, submersible foundation system. For the whole organisation this means a major step forward, after the restart at the beginning of 2020, the growth path to further roll-out of the technology in the offshore market has now been definitively opened.

The Tocardo T-1 turbine

The T-1 is Tocardo’s most proven turbine. In 2015 Tocardo installed three T-1 turbines in the Afsluitdijk tidal barrage, a 32 km long primary sea defence, next to the existing Den Oever project installation, which has a single T-1 installed in 2008. All electricity produced was fed into the grid. The turbines provided vital data and experience in turbine arrays. The array had a capacity of more than 300 kW, producing electricity for approximately one hundred local households. In 2019 both sites were decommissioned as a result of the multi-year project to raise the Afsluitdijk in connection with the expected sea level rise. By generating energy in a predictable and cost-effective way the T-1 is the best tidal turbine in its market segment with power outputs ranging from 50 to 125 kW.

Trials with the Subhub

As part of Interreg’s EU TIGER project, QED Naval are developing a site in the Solent in collaboration with Yarmouth Harbour Commission. The site is located between Sconce Point and Black Rock and will be used as a development site. QED Naval has submitted a planning application to the Marine Management Organisation to carry out performance and yield validation trials on the Subhub with the Tocardo T-1 tidal turbines. QED Naval will then go on to develop its 1 MW unit with Tocardo turbines.

About the Tiger project

The EU funded TIGER project will demonstrate that tidal energy is a maturing industry, capable of achieving an accelerated cost reduction pathway. The project will build cross-border partnerships to develop new technologies, test and demonstrate up to 8 MW of new tidal capacity at a number of locations around the Channel region, and use the learning from this development to make a stronger, cost-effective case for tidal energy as part of the France/UK energy mix.

What is the impact of tidal energy on the environment?

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Greenhouse gases
The most important advantage of sustainable energy, of course, is that it is better for the environment. One of the major drivers for tidal stream power generation is combatting climate change by reducing the CO2 emissions by being: a 100% renewable, 100% reliable and 100% predictable energy source. Every kWh of power generated by ‘tidal’ saves ~1,000g CO2, compared to the same power generated by diesel. Diesel power generation is often used in remote island communities and has a carbon intensity of 250g/kWh which, when coupled with the relevant plant efficiency of ~25% gives an effective carbon intensity of 1,000g/kWh. Beside a significant reduction of CO2 emissions, tidal energy also contributes to a reduction in the emission of all other types of greenhouse gas, such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). These gases are released during the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to produce power. In addition to greenhouse gas emissions, tidal energy has no air emissions, such as soot and fine particles, which are related to human cancer, heart and lung damage as well as mental functioning.

Noise and vibrations
The few studies that have been undertaken to date to identify the environmental impacts of a tidal power scheme have determined that each specific site is different and the impacts depend greatly upon local geography. What has been studied in the Netherlands so far? No underwater acoustic measurements have been carried out near the existing turbines in the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier. Depending on their spectrum and source level, and on local propagation conditions, the sounds produced by the turning turbines may or may not have an effect on porpoise behaviour. However, porpoises are expected to cross the barrier only at and around slack tides, when the turbines are not moving and are thus not producing sound. If sound produced by the turning turbines is audible to the porpoises in the vicinity, it will either add an extra barrier effect, or help the porpoises to locate the turbines and thus avoid colliding with them. In the past we’ve also studied noise nearby the Tocardo turbines in the Dutch icon the Afsluitdijk; on site it appeared that the noise from the turbines was practically imperceptible.

Sea life
One of the important issues with sites were high flow rates occur is that marine mammals commonly visit and feed in these areas. During the years 2015 – 2016 no correlation with the amount of grey seals and normal seals counted (increase / decrease of numbers) in the Eastern Scheldt and the presence of tidal turbines was identified. Tocardo strives to produce fish friendly, innovative turbine solutions. In April 2019 a fish mortality was executed at the Afsluitdijk during the operations of three (3) T-1 Turbines, in front of the turbine the current velocity was 2.5 m/s. The results of the tests with smolts and silver eel are in accordance with the outcome of the model calculations, as for both species the immediate mortality is 0.00%. No turbine related injuries of fish were observed, although fish clearly interacted with the turbine blades.

Subhub
The optimized solution to have a minimum impact on the environment is by making use of a seabed mounted system so it is invisible from the surface and maintains the seascape and navigation channels of shipping, and it is beyond the diving depth of most birds. Tocardo’s business partner QED Naval has developed the Subhub platform to avoid having any negative impact on the environment: one of the key design drivers for Subhub is to minimise the environmental impact of the platform.

HydroWing Ltd

Tidal Hydrogen Production Storage and Offtake

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HydroWing in partnership with Tocardo is delighted to introduce the THyPSO (Tidal Hydrogen production, Storage and Offtake), a n innovative and novel concept that creates green hydrogen from the sea, contributing to the wider global decarbonisation of energy systems.

THyPSO is a floating platform, housing 1 – 6 conventional bi-directional tidal turbines that convert tidal flows into electrical energy, which is then directed through an integrated hydrogen production unit, converting the unlimited supply of surrounding seawater into hydrogen, an energy-dense and versatile commodity.

THyPSO has capacity to hold up to two weeks’ worth of hydrogen production in pressurised storage tanks. Offtake is scheduled autonomously by remote communications and discharge occurs within a single slack tide. A simple and safe procedure using an offtake vessel moored down-stream of the device, connected via a pressurised delivery hose.

Hydrogen is a much more versatile commodity than electricity, it can be stored and used for a wide range of applications, eliminating carbon emissions from maritime transport, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, tourism, leisure, Petro-chemicals, road transport, rail transport and grid balancing.

THyPSO combines the advantages of tidal and hydrogen technologies, mutually overcoming technical and financial barriers faced by each technology alone. By being autonomous of the grid and eliminates expensive and high-risk subsea infrastructure, creating substantial savings on OPEX and CAPEX, as well as installation and decommission.

Another key issue with producing electricity from any renewable source is the intermittency of production. By producing hydrogen instead of electricity, the offtake and onward distribution can be actively managed and scheduled to suit weather windows and market demands at the time. Consenting, installation, and decommissioning are other areas where substantial time and costs can be saved.

The THyPSO project will demonstrate streamlined implementation of tidal energy projects with a view to upscaling and rolling out larger projects across Europe and the rest of the world in the coming years in line with the ever-growing demand for green sourced hydrogen.

Richard Parkinson, Managing Director, HydroWing Limited: ‘This project has shifted our focus to a broader and exciting market where we can make use of our tides to provide a more versatile energy mix into the local communities and beyond. I sincerely hope that we can inspire greater use of green hydrogen in the marine sector as a result of this project.’

Andries van Unen, CEO, Tocardo B.V.: ‘This project provides a new perspective and a versatile use for tidal turbines. The project is well suited to the range of Tocardo turbines allowing us to effectively scale up as demand for green hydrogen increases into the future.’