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Minesto, a leading ocean energy developer, continues to push the preparations to completion for commissioning of Dragon 12 in Vestmanna, Faroe Islands.
The Dragon 12 is reportedly the world’s first utility-scale tidal dragon, a device that converts energy from tidal-stream flows into electricity using a permanent magnetic direct-drive turbine and hydrodynamics that resemble kites.
It has been through an installation and recovery cycle. Under extreme weather conditions with heavy snow and wind, the Minesto team has continued on-site work.
Now, final preparations are made before installation and production commence. Commissioning a first full-scale unit, precision and carefulness is essential.
Minesto’s CEO Dr Martin Edlund has commented on the multiple ongoing activities; “There is a lot of attention locally in the Faroes, among our stakeholders in Sweden and globally on our progress.
“Our obvious priority is to set the D12 in production as soon as possible. We have an operational site with all infrastructure verified. Communications with the installed kite and all kite subsystems have been up and running during the installation trials and to our satisfaction. Nonetheless, even the smallest aspect will need attention and evaluation before we start production.”
He continued; “We are genuinely trailblazing – no one has ever installed and flown an underwater kite at megawatt scale. There are many processes and procedures that we carry out for the first time.
“Normal operational procedures such as on-shore handling of the long tether, connecting the kite control system on-shore or opening up a rudder module to check a sensor has to follow certain steps and conducted by the right experts for it to be safe and secure.
“We are of course very eager to start electricity production, and the expectation on us as a company is rightfully high.”
Dragon 4
“In the meantime, the Dragon 4 has produced electricity during the winter, and thus demonstrated the capacity for production of dispatchable base power through this renewable energy source. With predictable production as a central part of the energy mix, both CAPEX and OPEX could be reduced while maintaining reliability. The Dragon 4 is now brought to quayside for planned service,” said Dr Martin Edlund.
