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Magallanes Renovables, S.L.
IndustryTidal turbines
Founded2009
FounderAlejandro Marqués de Magallanes
SubsidiariesMagallanes Tidal Energy Ltd.

Magallanes Renovables, S.L. is a Spanish developer of floating tidal stream energy devices, set up in 2009.[1] The company's head office is in Redondela, Galicia, with a UK subsidiary Magallanes Tidal Energy Ltd. based in Kirkwall.

They have tested their concept at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland at small scale in 2014, and at full-scale since 2019.

In 2022, they were amongst the first tidal stream developers to be awarded market support for commercial projects in the UK, under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme.

Device concept

[edit]
Main characteristics of the full-size prototype.[2]
Name ATIR
Rated power 1500 kW
Weight 350 t
Dimensions

(length/breadth/draft)

45 m / 6 m / 25 m
Rotors 2 (counter-rotating)
Rotor diameter & separation 19 m, 1 diameter
Rotor rated speed 17 rpm
Pitch variable (0° to 270°)
Gearbox ratio 98
Generators 2 × 850 kW @ 690 V
Generators rated speed 1600 rpm
Converters 2 × 900 kW AC/AC

The Magalanes ATIR is a floating platform, like a ship's hull, which is moored in place by lines at the bow and stern.[3] Under the water, about 15 metres (50 ft) below the hull, two three-bladed counter-rotating turbines are mounted at either end of a common driveshaft. These power the generators, which capture the energy of the tides flowing past.[4] The design of the platform is modular, to make construction easier and cheaper.[5]

The hull is symmetrical fore-aft, and both rotors are variable pitch, allowing the device to capture both the ebb and flood tide directions without being moved. The counter-rotating design improves efficiency, as the aft turbine captures some more energy from the slipstream of the first turbine, it also helps balance the torque reaction.[2]

The novel device has been built using methodologies and experience from other related sectors, including naval architecture, offshore wind power, oil & gas.[5] The design of the platform allows for access to the machinery during operation, without the need to disconnect the turbine.[5]

The ATIR 2.0 device design has been certified with a "Basic Design Assessment" by Bureau Veritas.[6][7]

History

[edit]

The company was founded in 2009 by Alejandro Marques de Magallanes.[5]

In 2013–2014, a small-scale version of the ATIR device was tested at the EMEC nursery test site in Shapinsay Sound, although this was not grid-connected.[8] The sea trials commences on 28 November 2013. The device was 1:10 scale, 6 metres (20 ft) long and 2.3 m (7.5 ft) wide, with a three-hull Trimaran design,[9] however subsequent versions only have a single hull. The project reportedly cost 1.2m$US (about £0.73m, €0.89), funded through the European Marine Renewables Infrastructure Network (Marinet) project, government agencies in Spain, and private investors.[9]

ATIR testing at EMEC

[edit]

In 2019, the 1.5 MW[note 1] ATIR device was deployed at the EMEC Fall of Warness site, near the island of Eday.[10] It was deployed in February and connected to the electricity grid in March 2019, generating power shortly after.[11][12]

This device has two 19 m (62 ft) diameter rotors mounted below a 45 m (148 ft) long hull.[2][13]

The device was constructed in Spain in the Ria de Vigo and launched in 2017 followed by a period of tow testing in Vigo bay. More than 20 tests were carried out in seven towing operations. The device generated up to 450 kW, limited by the power of the tug.[3] It was then towed to Orkney in September 2018, after which it was installed and tested at EMEC. In 2020, the device was towed to Edinburgh for maintenance in the Imperial Dry Dock at the Port of Leith, before returning to site in April 2021. To enter the dock, the device had to be tipped onto its side using buoys.[14][8]

The testing at EMEC was initially funded through the European OCEAN_2G project (Second Generation technologies in ocean Energy) coordinated by SAGRES SL, the parent company of Magallanes Renovables.[3][15] Further funding through the Interreg OceanDEMO and the MaRINET2 projects allowed the testing to be extended beyond the initial two years.[8][10]

First commercial projects

[edit]

Magallanes Tidal Energy has been awarded Contracts for Difference (CfD) in Allocation Rounds AR4–AR6 to supply subsidised electricity to the GB National Grid for several projects. These include a farm of six turbines at Morlais, North Wales, and three more at EMEC in Orkney, Scotland, as shown in the table below.[5][16]

These will use the second-generation ATIR 2.0 device, which Magallanes completed the engineering design of in 2023.[17]

CfD Allocation Round Location Total Capacity (MW) Delivery Year Strike Price (£/MWh) Ref.
AR4, July 2022 Morlais 5.62 2025/26 178.54 [18]
AR5, September 2023 Morlais 3.0 2027/28 198.00 [19]
EMEC 1.5
AR6, September 2024 EMEC 3.0 2028/29 172.00 [20]

Future plans

[edit]

Magallanes hope to install their devices in other locations, including Spain, noting that the Strait of Gibraltar has significant potential.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Magallanes Renovables: Unlocking energy from tidal power". Magallanes Renovables. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Díaz-Dorado, Eloy; Carrillo, Camilo; Cidras, Jose; Román, David; Grande, Javier (21 January 2021). "Performance evaluation and modelling of the Atir marine current turbine". IET Renewable Power Generation. 15 (4): 821–838. Bibcode:2021IRPG...15..821D. doi:10.1049/rpg2.12071. ISSN 1752-1416.
  3. ^ a b c "Magallanes' floating tidal turbine on its way to Orkney". Offshore Energy. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Tidal energy pioneers see vast potential in ocean currents' ebb and flow". NBC News. 25 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Beatriz, Miranda (27 June 2024). "Entrevista a Magallanes Renovables" [Interview with Magallanes Renovables]. Interempresas (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  6. ^ Passover, Alejandra (4 March 2024). "La gallega Magallanes Renovables levantará en la costa de Gales el primer parque mareomotriz del mundo" [Galician Magallanes Renovables will build the first tidal park in the world on the coast of Wales]. La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Magallanes Renovables obtiene la certificación del diseño de su plataforma de energía mareomotriz" [Magallanes Renovables gets certification of design for its tidal energy platform]. Forbes España (in Spanish). 18 March 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Marthinsen, Stig. "Magallanes reinstall ATIR tidal turbine at EMEC, Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme". northsearegion.eu. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Spain enters commercialization of tidal energy with US$1.2 million ATIR prototype". Hydro Review. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  10. ^ a b Davidson, John (27 February 2020). "Bright future on Horizon for ocean pioneers". Inverness Courier. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Magallanes tidal power project sends first electricity to UK power grid". Power Engineering. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  12. ^ IEA-OES (March 2020). Annual Report. An overview of ocean energy activities in 2019 (Report). The Executive Committee of Ocean Energy Systems. p. 126.
  13. ^ "Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC | Tethys". tethys.pnnl.gov. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Magallanes tidal unit reinstalled at EMEC". ReNEWS.biz. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Second Generation technologies in ocean Energy | OCEAN_2G Project | Fact Sheet | H2020". CORDIS. European Commission. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  16. ^ Perry, Mathew (4 September 2024). "AR6 delivers six tidal stream projects with UK pipeline 'confidently growing'". Energy Voice. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  17. ^ IEA-OES (February 2024). Annual Report. An overview of ocean energy activities in 2023 (Report). The Executive Committee of IEA Ocean Energy Systems. pp. 23, 200.
  18. ^ "Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 4: results". GOV.UK. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5: results". GOV.UK. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 6: results". GOV.UK. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  1. ^ Some sources quote the rated power as 1.7 MW or 2.0 MW
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