Cape Sharp Tidal to retrieve tidal turbine

Cape Sharp Tidal turbine installation (Photo: FORCE)

 
Cape Sharp Tidal plans to retrieve the 2MW OpenHydro tidal turbine deployed off Nova Scotia in Canada to make modifications to some of its components.

The turbine will be temporarily retrieved for modifications to the components of the turbine control center (TCC), which is an electrical sub-system attached to the subsea base and connected to the turbine, Cape Sharp Tidal informed.

The TCC is used to transform the raw power from the generator into grid-compatible AC power. It also sends operational and environmental sensor data to shore in real time through the subsea cable.

Cape Sharp Tidal will use the Scotia Tide barge and recovery frame system to bring the turbine to the surface, after which it will be moved to Saint John for maintenance using the same barge.

The first tidal window for the operation is April 15 – April 20, then about every two weeks thereafter, according to Cape Sharp Tidal.

Redeployment at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) site in the Bay of Fundy will get underway after the work is complete, the company said.

To remind, Cape Sharp Tidal, a joint venture between Emera and DCNS’ OpenHydro, deployed the tidal turbine at FORCE in November 2016. The 2MW turbine started delivering power to the grid that same month.

The second tidal turbine will be added to the site later this year to complete the 4MW tidal array.