Minesto has completed the installation of a drilled and grouted seabed anchor solution for the Dragon 12 tidal energy system at a production site offshore in Vestmannasund, Faroe Islands, Denmark.
The installation was carried out by Minesto’s collaboration partner Leask Marine Ltd. The seabed anchor solution was developed by Leask Marine together with Minesto. Compared to a traditional gravity-based foundation, seabed anchoring reduces costs for tidal energy array buildout and lowers carbon emissions, Minesto said.
The anchor solution consists of a steel cylinder that is drilled into the seabed. The cylinder is then grouted in place and ready for use after the concrete hardening. A transition piece allowing the connection of the export cable and installation of the tether and kite is added to the cylinder.
The Dragon 12 kite system is assembled, tested and ready for installation, commissioning and power production, according to a release. Minesto’s Deep Green technology operates cost efficiently in areas with low-flow tidal streams and ocean currents.
“We are very pleased to have the Dragon 12 anchor in place. The solution builds on a new method where a smaller installation vessel carries out 24-hour drilling and grouting of a steel cylinder. We save thousands of tonnes of concrete and steel by moving away from gravity-based foundations. This method promises to become cost effective for future tidal energy arrays and the carbon footprint is minimal,” said Dr. Martin Edlund, chief executive officer of Minesto.
