Sabella is currently performing preparations prior to the planned installation of its 1 MW D10 tidal turbine on June 25, in the Fromveur Passage, off Ushant Island, France.
According to Sabella, the cargo ship that will be used for the installation of the turbine, provided by the German-based Combi Lift, has arrived to Brest yesterday.
Sabella is conducting the preparations of the boat that will continue for the next few days.
Tidal Energy Today spoke to Sabella who confirmed that the boarding operation of the turbine is planned for Sunday, June 21, and it is expected to last throughout the day.
Once the turbine is onboard, Sabella’s team will complete the sea fastening of the turbine. The team will install dead weight into each foot of the turbine foundation, and then run tests of the installed equipment on board.
If the weather permits, the cargo ship will leave the Brest harbour on Wednesday, June 24, to position itself in the Fromveur Passage and commence with the installation of the anchors for the mooring system of the ship to keep it in position during the deployment procedure.
Following the anchoring procedure, the team will retrieve the export cable termination and connect it to the jumper cable coming from the turbine on deck in order to establish the connection between the turbine and onshore facility located on Ushant island.
Sabella will then run tests to ensure the equipment is working fine.
Following the successful connection of the turbine with the island, and subject to suitable weather conditions, Sabella will commence with the immersion of the turbine on Thursday, June 25.
Sabella plans to immerse the entire turbine together with the foundations and dead weight.
After the immersion, the team will run tests to ensure the deployment process went smoothly.
Once the team confirms the immersion procedure was successful, Sabella will begin with the immersion of the jumper and export cable to complete the deployment operation.
The cargo ship will then retrieve the anchors, and return to Brest for the equipment demobilization.
Once the boat leaves the area, Sabella’s D10 tidal turbine will start feeding the electricity to the Ushant island’s grid.
Sabella has pointed out that, during the deployment operation, the area of 500 m around the boat will be restricted, but since the installation site is only 1 km off Ushant island’s shore, the people interested in observing the procedure will be able to do so from the shore.
[mappress mapid=”505″]
Image: Sabella