MeyGen’s AR1500 powers the grid

The final tidal stream turbine for the MeyGen’s first phase, AR1500, has operated at full power and exported the produced electricity to the grid.

The deployment of the AR1500 at the MeyGen project site in the Pentland Firth, Scotland, was announced four days ago, and the turbine has already exported power to the grid and operated at full power, the developer behind the project, Atlantis Resources informed.

The AR1500 system was developed by the Turbine and Engineering Services division within Atlantis, while the nacelle was designed under contract by Lockheed Martin Corporation.

It is one of the most technologically advanced tidal turbines ever deployed on a commercial scale marine power project, according to Atlantis.

Frank Armijo, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Energy, said: “Tidal turbines must be highly reliable and resilient to withstand and operate within the tough environment of a sea floor. These design requirements are similar to the reliability and durability needs of many of our aerospace programs.

“With innovations in advanced manufacturing and materials, and experiences gained in the design and production of undersea systems, space projects and aeronautics, we’re now helping to make tidal energy more reliable and effective.”

All four of the turbines in Phase 1A of MeyGen project have now been installed and connected to the grid onshore at a control building at Ness of Quoys in Caithness.

In November 2016, the first power had been delivered to the grid from the first of the three Andritz Hydro Hammerfest tidal stream turbines.

Construction for the next 6MW phase of the MeyGen project is due to begin later this year.