1. Orkney Islands Tidal Test Facility

2. The Orkney Islands Eday

3. The Background Why The Orkney Islands? Regularly high and predictable tidal patterns. A lower damage to local habitats. Shorter distances to offshore resources Proximity of sheltered water for construction Suitable connections to the national grid

4. The Facility Its the first purpose built facility for testing prototype tidal devices in the world. It has 5 “births” out at sea which have links to the power grid AND dedicated links back to the control centre each at variable water depths for the equipment testing. (between 25 and 50 meters)

5. The Facility cont.... Has the capability to generate power for over 1500 homes when ALL 5 berths are connected. Gives companies from around Europe to test prototype devices Makes use of the Islands 8 knot tidal runs (approx 4 meters per second) All power generated is run to a substation at Caldale

6. Usage To Date The facility has been used to test several devices already...The first was the Pelamis P- 750. Others include devices by companies from Denmark and Ireland like the Hellenke tidal generator

7. The Figures

8. References Slide Retrieved Monday 19 th November 2007 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/12/16132016 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/polstat/renewenergy.pdf http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1723470.0.0.p hp http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1723470.0.0.p hp http://www.rtel.com/orkney.aspx http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2004/08/10103847 http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1722492.0.0.p hp http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1722492.0.0.p hp http://www.sustainableenergy.qld.edu.au/sources/hydro.html