Dec 17 2010
The Norwegian, Hydra Tidal Energy, has launched its new floating unit Morild II, consisting of four wooden turbines of 23 m with a total capacity of 1.5 MW installed underwater.
This is Norway’s largest plant for exploiting marine currents in the waters of Lofoten Islands along the Northwestern coast of Norway. According to the CEO of Hydra Tidal, Eiving Nydal, the only other turbines of this kind had a diameter of 18m and 1 MW capacity.
New Floating Unit Morild II
It also has the distinction of being the only plant in the world with wooden turbine blades. The turbines are connected to the floating unit underwater but could also be fixed at various depths to make optimum use of the currents in the ocean. Morild II has been created in such a way as to minimize maintenance and significantly decrease the necessity for physical inspections.
All the normal routine tasks and control are carried out remotely and in case a turbine has to be conveyed to the surface that could also be done through remote handling, without impeding the work of the other turbines. The inauguration ceremony also feted the electricity provision in Norway. For the initial two years the activities would be carried out as an experiment, wherein the technology would be tested and the results would be evaluated.