Tocardo has successfully tested a scaled version of its Universal Foundation System. But how does it work? Watch the video here.
Since 2008, the engineers at Tocardo have been determined to deliver the innovative tidal-power solutions at the lowest cost of energy. They have followed a thorough step-by-step product development process and have built, installed, and tested as many as 15 tidal turbines to date. With every turbine deployed, the grid is fed with predictable and reliable renewable energy.
Most recently, the Dutch-based company successfully tested a scaled version of its UFS, or Universal Foundation System, at MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands). The UFS is designed to be a semi-submerged, floating 1.5-MW tidal-powered platform that’s ideal for near shore, open-water tidal generation locations. UFS has been designed to hold five, 300-kW rated T2 bi-directional turbines.
“Our scale model passed the test with flying colors and behaved exactly like we expected and even better than that,” said Pieter de Haas, Chief Technical Officer at Tocardo. The company says that this newly developed UFS will be the most reliable and cost-effective product within the industry, and a valuable building block for offshore tidal-power plants.
The 1:18 scale model was successfully tested in the Basis. The Basin has a length of 220 m, a width of 4 m, and a depth of 3.6 m. A wave generator was fitted to the end of the Basin, which had a capacity to create significant waves — up to a height of 0.55 m at a peak period of 2.3 seconds. It was able to simulate 17-m high waves at a 12 second period in the real offshore marine environment. Regular expected wave capacity is 1.1 m at a peak period of 2.3 seconds.
Opposite the wave generator, a passive sinkable wave absorber was installed. The effects of wind could also be simulated and tested through an adjustable platform spanning the full width of the Basin which was fitted with electrical fans.
Filed Under: News, Projects, Turbines
