CableFish to Reduce Cable Installation Costs

UK innovator, North Sea Systems, completed the first full scale trial of its novel CableFish in December, which was put through its paces at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in the turbulent waters around Orkney.

The technology was welcomed by Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing who said: “I am very pleased that we were able to assist in the development of this innovative cable installation technology with our Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund. I am also delighted to hear that two of the companies that made this project possible are from the Scottish supply chain.

“Developers who are trying to generate clean, green power from our oceans face many challenges, and the Scottish Government is committed to supporting collaborative efforts to find solutions to these problems. CableFish will help reduce the costs and risks of installing cables in the first array projects, such as MeyGen’s tidal energy project in the Pentland Firth. Innovation is a crucial part of cost reduction and I am glad to have supported this promising new concept.”

The final trial began in November 2014 and was the culmination of a Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) project funded by the Scottish Government, managed by the Carbon Trust.

“The successful sea trial of CableFish is a great example of collaborative innovation, which has demonstrated tangible cost reduction to support first tidal technology arrays and in doing so further progresses the marine sector towards commercialisation,” added Andrew Lever, Director, Innovation, the Carbon Trust.

The CableFish is attached to the cable, then rides down from the installation vessel to the touch-down point (the point at which the cable meets the seabed). Movement up and down the cable is controlled by a proprietary winch device. The system is equipped with cameras, an altimeter, a motion sensor, a USBL beacon; and high power lights for night work. Real-time data is fed back directly into the installation vessels survey system.

The Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) is a £18m Scottish Government fund, administered by the Carbon Trust, providing capital support projects that will accelerate the deployment of commercial-scale wave and tidal stream energy arrays in Scottish waters.

Other project partners included ETA and Orkney based Leask Marine who provided the performance analysis and the vessel for testing respectively. Additional project support was provided by Aberdeen based Bowtech who provided the subsea camera equipment.