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European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
  • Project

FloTEC

Floating tidal systems providing low-cost, high-value energy to the European grid mix.

FloTEC

The FloTEC project, that ended in July 2021 after more than 5 years, aimed at demonstrating a full-scale prototype floating tidal energy generation system for optimized energy extraction in locally varying tidal resources, while reducing the levelized cost of energy of floating tidal energy.

The 2MW O2 prototype started operation at EMEC (Orkney Islands) in July 2021 following a complex assembly. The machine has been in operation since then and has convincingly started displaying its innovative results in terms of robust operation and electricity production.

The consortium has shown that in specific conditions, this technology can improve the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of tidal converters from the current €300/MWh down to €200/MWh and even below. The new O2 prototype presents clear performance improvements compared to the previous prototype. Furthermore, the consortium has worked on decreasing the cost of manufacturing. The O2 prototype includes a number of manufacturing optimizations, e.g. the annular hull reinforcements, the robotized welding process, the pre-assembled parts. Furthermore, particular attention has been given concerning the establishment of a trusted EU-wide supply-chain.

The consortium has worked hard on communication at both national and international levels. To mention one of the most significant, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the O2 prototype last summer.

MORE INFORMATION

CORDIS project factsheet

FloTEC website

FloTEC project video

Stakeholders

Coordinators

ORBITAL MARINE POWER LIMITED

Address
Innovation Centre - Orkney Hatston Pier Road, Crowness Business Park, Kirkwall, KW15 1ZL, United Kingdom
Website
https://orbitalmarine.com/flotec/