A Little Bit of Andover, Moulded to a Tidal Power Installation off the Coast of Japan
Tidal energy is a reliable, renewable energy source that harnesses the power of ocean tides to generate electricity. One recent success story of SMI’s demonstrates how cutting-edge cabling solutions for wave and tidal from the UK helped enhance a tidal power installation off the coast of Japan, upgrading its capacity and efficiency.
The tidal power installation in question, located near Japan’s southern coast, is a part of a broader effort by the country to diversify its renewable energy sources. The installation has undergone significant upgrades to boost its energy output, helping Japan meet its renewable energy targets, with SMI playing a key role in the integrator’s – Proteus Marine Renewables – play.
At the heart of this transformation was the deployment of advanced power and control cabling designed and manufactured in Andover and installed by our team in Japan. We are responsible for the cabling and have long been a leader in designing and manufacturing high-performance, fit and forget cables and connectors specifically suited to the challenging conditions of the most hostile marine environments.
Enhancing Capacity and Performance with the UK SME Powerhouse
One of the key challenges in tidal energy projects is ensuring that the infrastructure used, particularly the cables and connectors, is robust enough to withstand harsh underwater conditions while delivering optimal performance. To meet the growing demand for clean energy, an upgrade to the installation – uprating the turbine and its cabling from a 500kW to an 1100kW – was required to boost its capacity and operational reliability.
SMI proved instrumental in achieving this goal. Our products are for use in tidal power applications, where durability, longevity, and reliability are critical. Providing durable, flexible cabling that can withstand the constant motion and pressure of tidal environments, SMI has demonstrated the critical role that power and control cabling made of appropriate materials plays in the success of marine energy projects.
UK’s Global Expertise in Renewable Energy Cabling
The success of this project not only highlights the importance of high-quality components but also highlights UK SME’s expertise in the renewable energy sector. The organisation responsible for this successful deployment has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions for renewable energy applications, including wind, solar, and tidal power. Their expertise spans a wide range of renewable energy technologies that ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable energy transmission.
Proteus Marine Renewables
Proteus played a pivotal role in this project, contributing not only its expertise and innovation, but also its cutting-edge technology and engineering capabilities.
As the world’s largest tidal energy company, Proteus delivers high-performance renewable solutions by designing, developing, and deploying tidal turbine systems that harness the power of ocean tides for clean, reliable energy.
With a commitment to sustainability, Proteus has successfully executed multi-megawatt tidal projects worldwide and produced over 20 GWh of energy in the UK. Backed by over 20 years of R&D, their proven technology features a validated Levelised Cost of Energy (LCoE) reduction path, verified by a third party. Proteus is advancing the global transition to renewable energy through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge innovation.
A Greener Future with Tidal Energy
This UK-made deployment for this tidal power installation in Japan marks a significant milestone in the global push towards cleaner energy. As Japan continues to diversify its renewable energy portfolio, this project serves as an example of how international collaboration, backed by the engineering excellence, can drive innovation and help nations transition to sustainable energy.
By enabling the upgrade of this installation to a higher capacity unit, SMI has once again shown that its expertise in cabling and renewable energy technology is instrumental in shaping the future of clean power generation across the globe. The successful completion of this project strengthens the UK’s position in the international renewable energy market contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change through innovative and sustainable energy solutions.
More information about the whole operation can be found here, at our customer’s website: https://proteusmr.com/2024/03/12/operational-highlights-retrieval-of-the-ar500-turbine/