McLaughlin & Harvey and SeaRoc have formed a new team to deliver their project to demonstrate a novel foundation system in a tidal stream site, using rock anchor drilling technology.
The companies are working in partnership to deliver a mooring system for the SR2000 floating tidal turbine, which will be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) tidal test site this year.
McLaughlin & Harvey, with support from SeaRoc, has secured approximately £1 Million of funding through a collaborative grant arrangement with the Carbon Trust, under the Scottish Government Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF), and Invest Northern Ireland.
On completion McLaughlin & Harvey will have fully demonstrated their remotely operated seabed drilling technology which has been part of an ongoing R&D programme. SeaRoc has used its knowledge and experience to develop a marine operations strategy which uses existing and cost-effective marine equipment to provide a platform at sea from which McLaughlin & Harvey can deploy their equipment and carry out their drilling works in a safe and efficient manner. The project partners will each make a contribution in-kind towards financing the project and Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd., developers of the SR2000 tidal turbine, will contribute over £450,000 in cash.
Adam Holland, Marine Renewables Manager, McLaughlin & Harvey, “Our goal here is to demonstrate a step change reduction in the cost of marine renewable energy installations using conventional, civil engineering techniques to deliver foundations in a novel application.”
Nick Murphy, Head of Wave and Tidal Projects, SeaRoc , “It is great to be part of this team, which brings together our complementary skills to deliver an integrated design for marine energy projects. We are really pleased that we could find a project which delivers the various interests of so many organisations so well”.
Barry Johnston, Chairman, Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd commented, “McLaughlin & Harvey’s and SeaRoc’s experience of delivering complex, international tidal energy projects really boosts the strengths of our existing team. The SR2000 project gives a perfect opportunity to trial rock bolt anchors in a real life tidal energy site and we are very happy to facilitate this as we recognise the long term potential for cost reduction which this technology can bring to the tidal sector.”