Tadek Ocean Engineering designs mooring and cable solution for wave power subsea project

UK-based Tadek Ocean Engineering has created a mooring and cable solution for the Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) project that combines wave energy with subsea storage to power subsea equipment.

Aberdeen-based Verlume connected Mocean Energy’s Blue X wave energy converter with a Halo underwater battery storage system through this RSP project. 

After a 12-month test program off the coast of Scotland, the £2 million (approximately $2.5 million) project aims to conclude this spring.

Senior Engineer Nigel Terry, who led the design project, mentioned that the mooring and ‘lazy wave’ cable solution enables the device to weathervane without impeding energy capture thanks to its sturdy design that can endure harsh motions and outings.

Furthermore, Tadek managed the procurement of both the cable and mooring system, collaborating with Leask Marine to produce the installation procedures.

“A key aspect of the design was Tadek’s bespoke swivel unit which incorporated a mechanical swivel for the mooring and a slip ring for electrical,” said Terry. 

“This was a complex and challenging design without precedent which succeeded against formidable odds, and was tested above the design conditions and fatigue life. Not often as a designer are you given such free reign, and our work on the RSP Project pays testament to the trust which clients have in us to make executive decisions and take responsibility for the work.”

The industry-supported RSP, located 5 kilometers east of Orkney Mainland, showcases the integration of green technologies to provide continuous and sustainable low-carbon power and communication to subsea equipment. Its objective is to exhibit a cost-efficient substitute for umbilical cables.

Energy companies such as TotalEnergies and Shell Technology – Marine Renewable Program have collaborated on the project as part of a pan-industry effort. Other participants include PTTEP, the Thai national oil company, Serica Energy, Harbour Energy, Baker Hughes, Transmark Subsea, and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).

The last stage of the RSP Project will entail removing all equipment from the site for inspection and cleaning onshore in Orkney and at Verlume’s operations facility in Dyce, Aberdeen.

The industry participants and developers are evaluating near-term and future strategies for further deployment or potential testing on assets.

This could include deploying a similar project in Scottish waters or initiating new projects overseas to demonstrate how green technologies can provide reliable low-carbon power and communication to subsea equipment in a real-world setting.