Oyster 800 commences operational testing
14 Jun 12 - Martin McAdam, Chief Executive Officer
As you can see from the picture above, we have now begun
operational testing of our Oyster 800 wave energy machine.
The device is installed at the European Marine Energy Centre's test
site at Billia Croo near Stromness in Orkney.
The latches holding the Oyster 800 onto its seabed frame were
released last Thursday, and the top of the device is now visible
above the surface of the sea. Prior to this, the machine had been
ballasted onto the seabed to allow construction and commissioning
work to be carried out.
This is a key step in the commissioning process of the Oyster
800. In the coming weeks we will test each component including the
hydraulic and electrical power systems to ensure safe and reliable
operation.
I would like to thank our talented and hard-working team at
Aquamarine Power and also our shareholders, in particular ABB, SSE
and Scottish Enterprise and also the UK and Scottish governments
for enabling us to reach this important milestone.