According to EDF, the new, twin turbine tidal project is a fundamental step in the development of tidal energy in France. For one, it follows on from the successful testing of the tidal turbine L’Arcouest in real conditions between December 2013 and April 2014 at the Paimpol-Bréhat site. These conclusive tests demonstrated the performance of the tidal turbine developed by OpenHydro and validated the principle of the 16-metre diameter prototype -- an essential step before the deployment of pilot farms.
The two OpenHydro turbines to be installed on the Paimpol-Bréhat site from 2015 will benefit from the feedback of studies conducted on components of the prototype L’Arcouest. These second-generation turbines, with optimised design and performance, will then be adapted for series production to support future calls for tenders for commercial farms.
At Paimpol-Bréhat, OpenHydro and EDF are going to test the operation of two turbines connected to the grid. The two partners will demonstrate the long-term reliability of a totally innovative technology under real conditions. This pilot phase will pave the way for the deployment from 2016 of pre-commercial farms and the development of a tidal energy industrial sector in France.
“This confirms the performance of the innovative tidal turbine technology developed by OpenHydro," said Thierry Kalanquin, executive chairman of OpenHydro and director of DCNS Marine Energy and Infrastructure Division. "We are eager to begin this new phase of our collaboration with EDF in order to contribute to the development of the tidal energy industry.”
The development of the Paimpol-Bréhat pilot farm, together with other pilot farm projects which OpenHydro is progressing in France and Canada, are intended to demonstrate the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of tidal energy sector, Kalanquin added.
OpenHydro is a DCNS company specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of marine turbines generating renewable energy from tidal streams. The company vision is to deploy marine turbine farms under the surface of the oceans to produce energy silently, invisibly and with no impact on the environment.