Scottish Tidal Project Shatters Generation Records at Testing Site
Jonathan Fuller | August 28, 2018A single floating tidal stream turbine in northern Scotland has generated a record-breaking 3 GWh in the past 12 months.
The 2 MW turbine generated more power in the last year than the entire Scottish wave and tidal industry generated from 2004 to 2016. The 3 GWh is enough to power around 830 U.K. households for a year, according to an August 21 press release.
The SR2000, developed by Scotsrenewables Tidal Power, is located at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney. EMEC is a test and research center for wave and tidal power development, providing the opportunity for developers to test full-scale prototype systems. Scotsrenewables is planning to build a 2 MW commercial turbine later this year.
The SR2000 is 210 feet long with a 52 foot rotor diameter. Source: Scotsrenewables
"The SR2000’s phenomenal performance has set a new benchmark for the tidal industry,” said Andrew Scott, chief executive officer of Scotrenewables Tidal Power. “Despite being an R&D project, and it being our first full scale turbine, its first year of testing has delivered a performance level approaching that of widely deployed mature renewable technologies.”
SR2000’s impressive output is likely impacted by its testing location. The Orkney Islands tides are notably strong, with tidal strength near the Fall of Warness often reaching 7.5 knots or more.
I thought they used a "steam turbine" designation, in this article. This is about a STREAM turbine, not a steam turbine.