Manufacturer Roxtec is an industry leader in sealing solutions for the renewables sector where its products have featured in offshore windfarms across Europe. Roxtec UK managing director Clive Sharp explains how its expertise has also been harnessed by the wave and tidal energy sector on a project involving one of the largest tidal turbines in the world.
Scotrenewables Tidal Power Limited is based in a remote part of Scotland exposed to nature’s raw power. The Orkney Island renewable energy specialist developed an innovative floating tidal energy converter known as the Scotrenewables Tidal Turbine. Following its launch, the SR2000 underwent an intensive demonstration programme at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), before being offered to the global tidal industry as a technology with the lowest cost of energy in the sector. Nine different scale models of the device had to be tested extensively over a 10-year period both offshore and in laboratory environments before final development.
Roxtec was commissioned to supply sealing solutions for the SR2000 2MW floating turbine measuring 65m in length, 3m in diameter and weighing 550 tons. Super-strong watertight seals were installed to protect the turbine’s vital control systems from flooding and water ingress over a 20-year period. The turbine was built in Orkney and at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, with Roxtec providing support at both locations throughout the project.
Multiple EC&I cables (electrical control and instrumentation) of various sizes were sealed on the turbine through every bulkhead between sections. A key reason for Roxtec’s selection lay in its ability to offer the highest standards of certified waterproof bulkhead seals. The cabling in the turbine was extensive, running its entire length through ten compartments inside the floating hull, with further cable sealing within the generator nacelles and over an exposed section linked to topside power, control and communication equipment.
Roxtec was able to draw on its many years’ experience in the marine and renewables sector to successfully deliver the project, providing support throughout the process from planning to installation and ongoing maintenance. Its seals are designed to be flexible with easy maintenance access and spare capacity for upgrades. This was particularly important when the project was still in test phase with the potential for changes. Crucially, Roxtec’s sealing solutions have been designed so changes can be carried out easily at low cost. This is in stark contrast to many traditional seals which can be onerous, costly and time-consuming to maintain and upgrade.
During the planning phase Scotrenewables designers were able to deploy the innovative Roxtec Transit Designer computer software. This software is a highly effective tool for engineers wanting to save time. It is the most advanced of its kind on the market and enabled their team to produce detailed drawings, quickly and simply, of cable and pipe locations which makes the installation process faster.
For more details contact Roxtec UK Tel: 0161 761 5280 or visit www.roxtec.com
Roxtec Background
Roxtec was founded in Sweden in 1990. Today it is the global leader in the manufacture of innovative cable and pipe transit systems, supplying many of the world’s biggest firms. It is active in 80 markets. Roxtec’s products are designed to seal cables and pipes and are used to protect people, buildings and equipment from multiple hazards. Its key market sectors include Marine, Oil and Gas, Telecoms, Construction, Power (generation, distribution and transmission) OEM – (e.g. trains, engines, motors, generators) and the Process Industries. Roxtec has a Triple-A credit rating and is actively expanding into new areas offering innovative and safe sealing solutions to a variety of industries.
Scotrenewables Tidal Power Limited (SRTP) is a renewable energy research and development business based in the Orkney Islands. Founded in 2002, Scotrenewables has become a leading tidal turbine developer, and is the longest established, indigenous and still majority locally owned tidal energy technology developer based in Scotland.