Stingray - Tidal Generator I
In the Spring of this year, the Land and Marine Survey Division conducted a Hydrographic, Geophysical and Oceanographic survey in Yell Sound, Shetland.
The survey contract awarded by The Engineering Business (EB) was part of a programme of works to extract energy from tidal streams. An area of possible deployment was identified by EB and the Hydrographic and Geophysical survey was conducted to locate a suitable site approximately 60m x 60m in a water depth of approximately 30m. Various survey techniques were utilised including echo-sounding, sub-bottom profiling, and side scan sonar.
Further to finding a suitable flat site, an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) was mounted aboard the survey vessel, and a survey conducted over a tidal cycle to confirm that the tidal currents present at this area would be suitable. A Benthic survey by means of a underwater video survey was also conducted within the area to identify the presence of any species of conservation interest.
The ADCP was then mounted in a seabed frame and deployed to the seabed for 1 month at the exact location identified for the installation of the STINGRAY Generator. Currents identified at the site showed a spring tide current velocity in excess of 5 Knots
The site identified from the survey was considered suitable and the prototype 150kW tidal power generator was successfully deployed during the summer 2002.
For more details on the Stingray project visit The Engineering Business Website
www.engb.com |
