HydroWing Technology
The ‘all in one’ HydroWing system is based on a patented modular approach, reducing CAPEX and installation costs whilst increasing energy yield.
"This is a groundbreaking design that we expect to be a gamechanger for tidal energy. It offers the magic combination of reduced costs and increased energy yield. This represents a big step forward towards the commercialisation of tidal stream energy”
Andy Billcliff - CEO of Menter Mon Morlais Limited.
Tidal Challenges
The tidal industry has struggled to drive down its Levelized Cost of Energy since its birth over a decade ago, preventing it from becoming competitive and thriving within the renewable energy market. The two main issues lie in turbine complexity and reliability and expensive offshore maintenance.
The engineering drive to optimise energy extraction has led to many developers employing complex systems to increase output which has seen them encounter issues with device reliability. Reduced reliability results in increased down time and loss of revenue. To add to these associated costs the requirement of large and specialised vessels has incurred cripplingly high costs on developers.
HydroWing's Solution
The HydroWing solution combats these issues via a holistic and simplistic approach which reduces the cost, improves reliability and saves time and effort of O&M.
The HydroWing is a modular, multi-rotor tidal energy device with two main components.
1 x Permanent Gravity Based Structure
1 - 3 x Retrievable wings with 2-5 turbines per wing
This simple arrangement enables reduced CapEx and creates reliable power generation.
Key Features of HydroWing
Utilises Tocardo’s proven industry-leading bi-directional blades, incorporating the state-of- the-art T3 turbine.
The bi-blade system passively flips through 180 degrees to face the tidal flow and excess flow passively pitches the blade at higher tidal velocities, significantly reducing loads and enabling larger blades, delivering greater energy yield. The T3 turbine also has a 3:1 planetary single stage gearbox. The 19 metre nacelle height places the turbine in optimal flow conditions for maximum yield too. The combination of these innovative features means that energy yield is increased by up to 100%.
The well proven wet mate connection system from the transformer hub to the single export cable allows for instantaneous ‘plug and play’ connection.
HydroWing permits a high packing density for arrays, maximising site energy yield.
Smaller turbines (10-14m diameter) reduce wake effects enabling increased power density and revenue potential of sites.
Cost and operational advantages of HydroWing
The T3 turbines are compact and can be delivered ‘in a box’ using standard containers for easy, low cost transport.
The modular substructure comes in road haulable sections, which can be rapidly assembled quayside.
Turbines constructed from reliable off the shelf components enabling wide supply chain and reduced lead times to be accessed. Support structure constructed from standard cross sections.
The two micro-pile fixings on each foot of the substructure are lightweight and low cost and can be installed by small workboats. In total, there is a saving of up to 60% on fixation costs.
The modular approach unlocks low-cost recovery for through life maintenance.
Vertical launch and recovery corridors help to simplify maintenance further.
The HydroWing Quad Barge also has a modular design and enables operations and maintenance costs to be minimised as well as minimising downtime.
There have been numerous articles about the HydroWing design in the international marine tech media. Here are some links.
NEW CIVIL ENGINEER
https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/design-innovation-for-20mw-wales-tidal-energy-project-a-step-forward-in-commercialisation-of-tidal-stream-18-12-2024/
OCEAN NEWS & TECHNOLOGY
https://oceannews.com/news/energy/inyanga-marine-energy-group-releases-design-for-tidal-energy-project/
Quad Hull Barge
HydroWing has created a new innovation to further reduce installation and maintenance costs – a low-cost barge specially designed for HydroWing.
The Quad Hull Barge uses four hulls connected by crossbeams and arch support beams. As a result, the limit to load width is dramatically increased.
Where commercial vessels would typically need to place the load onto the deck with little to no overhang of the load, the Quad Hull Barge locks the load after lifting to the gantry arch.
This reduces offshore handling and makes the operation much safer and less weather dependent. It means that the width of the load can be independent of the vessel width.
This pioneering technology overcomes the need for expensive offshore vessels, bringing great benefits to operators:
It is modular, so it can be transported by road and assembled at site.
Lightweight construction, which reduces manufacturing costs.
Being modular, it can easily be scaled up for larger turbines.
Low drag and easier to tow and can therefore be handled by small, locally available tugs.
Can be deployed quickly, which will help operators to reduce production downtime.
All of these factors will help to lower the cost of each intervention.
‘Check out this in-depth article about the Quad Hull Barge in
‘Ship and Boat International’ (April 2024)’
O&M Procedure
The retrievable wing arrangement creates, low weight modular generating capacity. This enables significantly reduced installation and O&M costs over device life. O&M of turbines consists of a simple process:
1 - Barge vessel arrives at site with LARS and connects 4-point moorings to position
2 - LARS lowered down to HydroWing using in built cameras and guidance systems
3 - LARS hydraulically engages with wing and wet mate connections released as lifted, moorings released
4 - LARS and wing returned to surface for infield maintenance or return to port
O&M Overview
This procedure for installation and O&M has been central to HydroWing design to ensure accessibility, reliability and availability of the HydroWing. It will bring about significant lifetime cost reductions through:
Modular design enables standard shipment of all components
Utilisation of our specially designed Quad Hull Barge- eliminating expensive offshore construction vessels.
Minimal manning requirements
Maximised power availability due to rapid completion of maintenance
Staggered wings enabling unobstructed access to each wing in all configurations
LARS eliminating necessity for expensive and cumbersome ROV
All turbine electronic components accessible in single location for infield maintenance
Wet mate connected stab plates enabling recovery and reinstallation procedure to be complete in a single slack tide