Projects:
Oyster 800 project, Orkney
We have installed and attached our next-generation Oyster 800
wave energy device to its foundations on the seabed at Billia Croo
near Stromness in Orkney.
We also completed directional drilling earlier this
year and have now started work to connect the high pressure water
flow lines to the shore and the onshore hydroelectric plant.
We plan to install two further Oyster devices in the same
location in 2012 and 2013.
Each of the three Oyster wave energy devices will have a
generating capacity of 800kW and will be connected via subsea
pipelines to a single onshore hydro-electric plant. The
maximum generating capacity of the three Oyster devices will
be 2.4MW.
Our Oyster wave power project at Billia Croo will demonstrate
the feasibility of installing multiple Oysters in small arrays and
ultimately in larger wave farms. We will be able to monitor
the interaction of three Oyster wave energy devices and understand
the best configuration for future Oyster wave power projects.
Oyster 800 design improvements
Our Oyster 800 wave energy device was unveiled in July 2011.
Oyster 800 maintains the three key selling points of our first
Oyster device which are simplicity, survivability and shore-based
electricity generation.
In addition, we have used data and lessons learned from the
first Oyster device to deliver the next-generation Oyster 800 which
offers significantly improved power generation, reduced cost of
power, simplified marine installation process and easier routine
maintenance.
• Power generation - Oyster 800 has a
rated capacity of 800kW making it 250% more powerful than the first
Oyster. A wave farm of 20 Oyster 800 devices could power more than
15,000 homes.
• Dimensions - Oyster 800 measures 26m
(width of flap) by 12m (top of flap to bottom of baseframe).
• Location - Oyster 800 will be installed at
a depth of 13m around 500m from the shore. This allows easy
access to the device for routine maintenance.
• Hydrodynamic design - Oyster 800's shape
has been modified to enable it to capture more energy.
• Modular design - Oyster 800's new modular
design allows easier installation and routine maintenance.
• Foundations - Oyster 800 uses a two pile
foundation system rather than the conventional four pile foundation
system used for the first Oyster. This reduces installation costs,
weather risk and the seabed footprint of the device.
Third party validation
Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the world's leading international
provider of services for managing risk, has awarded a Statement of
Feasibility for the design of Oyster 800 in 2010, based on a 20
year life span. This is the first time DNV has awarded this
accreditation to a wave power device.
Milestones
- Seabed berthSecured seabed berth at EMEC for three Oyster devices, 2010
- Environmental monitoringMonitoring of wildlife began April 2010; ongoing
- Fabrication of Oyster 800 commencesScottish manufacturer BiFab begin fabrication, December 2010
- Onshore planning permissionGranted for three devices by Orkney Islands Council, September 2010
- Offshore consentsGranted for first of three Oyster devices by Marine Scotland, December 2010
- Onshore construction workIn progress since October 2010 by local company Heddle Construction
- Directional drillingCompleted by Stockton Drilling, May 2011
- Environmental impact assessmentCompleted by Xodus Aurora, June 2011
- Application for further offshore consentsSubmitted to Marine Scotland, June 2011
- Fabrication of Oyster 800 completeUnveiled by Scotland's First Minister July 2011
- Offshore installationCompleted August 2011
- Connection of offshore device to onshore plantIn progress since September 2011
Xodus has provided environmental services to Aquamarine Power since 2005. It is pleasing to see Aquamarine Power’s commitment not only to working with local Orkney companies such as ourselves but also to the responsible development of their Oyster projects.
Liz Foubister, Specialist, Marine Renewables
Xodus Group, Stromness, Orkney
Heddle Construction is carrying out the onshore construction works for Aquamarine Power for a second time having also completed the works for their first Oyster project. We are pleased to see the company choosing to work with local companies and manufacturing their device in Scotland.
Derek Heddle, Managing Director
Heddle Construction, Kirkwall, Orkney