4C Offshore Empowering Intelligence

Commercially viable tidal energy a step closer

4C Offshore | Lewis Holdsworth
By: Lewis Holdsworth 21/11/2014 Sustainable Marine Energy
Successful sea trials of Sustainable Marine Energy’s tidal energy platform, PLAT‐O,
demonstrates a fresh approach for delivering cost‐effective tidal energy


Sustainable Marine Energy (SME) has successfully completed its first round of sea trials with
its tidal energy platform, PLAT‐O.  The tidal energy industry has struggled with high costs for
installation and maintenance but SME is demonstrating that by using its innovative platform
which is moored under the surface of the water, these costs can be significantly reduced.  

PLAT‐O was launched from the company’s facility in Venture Quays, East Cowes, Isle of
Wight and towed to the test site at Yarmouth. Once at the site PLAT‐O was submerged to
installation depth and a series of tests were run. PLAT‐O was successfully resurfaced and
towed back to East Cowes, where it will be prepared for its next series of trials.

The marine operations were run using small vessels, demonstrating that a step change
reduction in the cost of installing tidal energy devices can be achieved. The results of the sea
trial provide increasing confidence in the potential for tidal streams to provide a
commercially viable source of renewable energy.
 




A vision

Jason Hayman, Managing Director of SME, says, “We have reached a huge milestone in the
development of our solution to address the costs associated with delivering tidal energy.
Over a short period of time we have achieved a great deal thanks to our capable and
passionate team. After this weekend’s operations I am confident that PLAT‐O provides the
industry with a new approach which reduces the costs and risks associated with delivering
tidal energy considerably. Over the next few months we will be ramping up the time that
PLAT‐O spends at site, and running a series of tests which will culminate in the installation of
PLAT‐O at a more aggressive tidal site and generating power to the grid.”
 

Marine operations

David Thomson, Managing Director of Orcades Marine Management Consultants, who
manages the delivery marine operations for SME, adds, “The progress that the team at SME
have made culminating with the recent trial installation of PLAT‐O should be regarded as a
terrific achievement.  I have been involved in many tidal installation operations and I have
seen first‐hand the challenges facing the tidal industry in relation to the cost of operations.
It is clear to me that PLAT‐O has the opportunity to succeed and provides a viable solution
for the tidal energy industry.”

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