Agreement to install floating tidal energy platform near Texel

It is of an innovative modular design and uses a new type of permanent mooring lines. According to the project partners, it will be the first time that a floating tidal platform is used for electricity production into the Dutch grid. It will be operational in the first half of 2015.
“This platform can be shipped and installed anywhere in the world to provide clean electricity in remote areas and small islands, replacing expensive and polluting diesel generators,” said Allard van Hoeken, head of New Energy at Bluewater Energy Services. “This smaller test platform, while ready to use in remote locations, is also a stepping stone for our larger 2-MW platform development.”
“Together with Bluewater we have adapted our modular barge product to a modular tidal power generation platform that can be shipped as containers to any location in the world,” Arnout Damen, COO of Damen Shipyards, added. “
The BlueTec platform is developed for cost-effective installation, operations and maintenance of tidal turbines. BlueTec floats and can be towed to location without heavy lifting at sea. It accommodates all sensitive electronics equipment inside the unit, where it is dry and protected, yet allowing for easy access for inspection, maintenance and repair. The platform can be disconnected from the moored location and taken to a local port for heavy repair when needed.
The Texel platform is the small, simple and robust version of BlueTec. Aimed at remote locations, it consists of container size modules, can be assembled locally and installed without sophisticated equipment. It holds a 200-kW turbine that can power local villages, cooling facilities and provide lighting at schools.