BlueTEC Texel Tidal partners plan to install second turbine

The BlueTEC Texel Tidal partnership intends to install a second and larger turbine on the BlueTEC floating platform, which has been operating successfully during its first month of deployment.

The partners include Bluewater, Damen Shipyards Group, Niron Staal, Van Oord, Acta Marine, Vryhof Anchors, TKF, Tocardo, Schottel Hydro, NIOZ, Tidal Testing Centre, Nylacast and the Port of Den Helder.

Bluewater Energy Services new energy head Allard van Hoeken said:"The electricity production conforms to expectations, the mooring loads are lower than expected and the stability is better than expected. It is a great success."

After the launch of the platform, its new mooring system has been tested during two large storms occurring in the deployment area, and has been claimed to have passed ‘with flying colours’.

van Hoeken said the project partners are now looking forward to the next step in its development.

"We will install the next turbine – a Tocardo T2 – before the winter. This will double the platform’s capacity.

"A few months after that we will install a second T2 turbine. With two turbines working simultaneously this will double the capacity once again to reach the 400-500 kW mark. This means a proven solution is available on the market. In the meantime we will proceed to even larger units of 2.5 MW each."

van Hoeken added that due to the benefits of a floating system, the platform can be easily reached, which in turn cuts time and simplifies maintenance operations.

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Image: BlueTEC operation brings successful results. Photo: courtesy by Damen Shipyards Group ©