Quoceant wraps up testing of its Q-Connect system

Quoceant has completed full-system demonstration testing of its Q-Connect adaptable marine quick connection system at Hydrus’ fabrication facility in Brenchin, Scotland.

According to Quoceant, the qualification testing included full-scale tests to demonstrate the self-alignment and self-latching functions of the Q-Connect and its release under load. The latching mechanism has underwent 100 test cycles and the self-alignment mechanisms proven over a range of entry angles and offsets.

Quoceant have been welcoming visitors and potential clients, which included Wave Energy Scotland (WES) who funded the development of the system through their Quick Connection Systems call.

Potential equipment suppliers were also present, alongside wave and tidal developers.

Quoceant pointed out that the Q-Connect is a modular and adaptable Quick Connection System (QCS) that provides rapid mechanical and electrical connection of a marine energy device to its mooring and electrical infrastructure.

The system does not require any specialized vessel, cable handling, or taut lines on deck to complete a ‘hands free’ remote connection and disconnection processes in a single operation.

Compared to previous systems, Q-Connect brings many innovations including a modular design that can be adapted to different configurations of mooring, installation, and load rating.

Prior to manufacturing the elements of the Q-Connect and a test frame, Hydrus also worked with Quoceant to manufacture and assemble a quick connection system of a bespoke design for a tidal energy application.

Beth Dickens, director at Quoceant and lead for the project, said: “These tests are the climax of three years of hard work by the team at Quoceant supported by our expert sub-contractors. It is immensely satisfying to see the full system in action and to watch the self-alignment and self-locking of the mechanical and electrical systems.”

Tim Hurst, managing director at Wave Energy Scotland added: “The WES Quick connection Systems programme sought to find some of the best thinking and practice in mooring and electrical quick connections and apply this to the Wave Energy Sector and beyond. The stage 3 testing by Quoceant of their combined mechanical and electrical connector demonstrates the outputs from the research and development efforts from Stage 1 and 2.”

Martin Anderson, managing director at Hydrus Group remarked: “Hydrus Energy Engineering Ltd have been instrumental in supporting Quoceant for many a year now by incorporating our comprehensive offerings from design, engineering, manufacturing right through to assembly. This project has been a great example of combining unique skills from multiple disciplines right across the board.”

To complete the stage 3 project, Quoceant teamed up with specialists in manufacturing and marine operations including the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD), and Inyanga Maritime.

To remind, in March 2022 Quoceant started testing the system in the dry at Hydrus’ facilities in the northeast of Scotland to demonstrate strength and wear resistance before progressing to full system testing underwater.