1MW Generator for the HS1000 Subsea Tidal Turbine
Monday Oct 28th - 12:00ATB Morley has successfully designed and manufactured an induction generator for the HS1000 tidal turbine. The generator was supplied to GE Energy Power Conversion to be used as part of their power conversion package for the ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest subsea turbine which uses tidal energy to generate electricity.
The 100ft-high 1MW (megawatt) HS1000 device is a pre-commercial demonstrator, installed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and is already powering homes and businesses on the island of Eday, in the Orkney Isles. The 6600V induction generator uses a robust water cooled design drawing on ATB Morley’s expertise in heavy duty, high quality, mining and industrial motor manufacture. The equipment is designed for a 25 years lifetime with scheduled maintenance intervals every fifth year or greater.
Engineers were able to install the device at the end of 2011 during a harsh winter storm which has given them increased confidence ahead of the larger projects being planned. After over a year of operation the prototype has proven paving the way for the next commercial scale projects using arrays of up to 10MW.