Japan: GL RC to Certify Kawasaki Heavy’s Tidal Energy Converter

Tidal energy is a vast resource man has yet to harness. As technology advances into this new, promising realm of renewable energy, GL Renewables Certification (GL RC) is contributing its expertise by certifying Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ (KHI) tidal energy converter prototype.

The certification will be carried out according to GL RC’s “Guideline for the Certification of Ocean Energy Converters” and other relevant GL RC rules and guidelines for marine and offshore structures. KHI’s tidal energy converter is currently under development at KHI’s Akashi facility and will soon be installed at the European Marine Energy Test Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland/UK.

The prototype certification by GL Renewables Certification will include assessment of the prototype design which demonstrates the fulfilment of the requirements in relation to design, fabrication, installation and operation. The 1 MW tidal energy converter consists of a horizontal axis turbine mounted on the seabed by a gravity base and has an active pitch and yaw control system. The power take-off is a combination of gearbox and permanent magnet generator.

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Offshore WIND staff, April 23, 2012; Image: scottish-enterprise