New tidal energy turbine installed to provide sustainable power to Scotland

First AR1500 tidal energy turbine with new technology installed to provide clean, sustainable, power for up to 175,000 homes in Scotland.

Atlantis Resources Limited has deployed the first AR1500 tidal energy turbine with new Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) technology, off the coast of Scotland.

The 1.5 megawatt AR1500 turbine is fitted with two innovative subsystems, the Yaw Drive System (YDS) and the Variable Pitch System (VPS), which allow the turbine to rotate autonomously around its base, so it always faces into the tidal flow. The pitch angle of the turbine blades also adjusts to optimize the power generation in a given tidal stream.

It took less than 60 minutes to install and connect the AR1500, which was significantly less in comparison to most similar systems. The operation marks the first time a tidal turbine has been installed and connected to the shore instantaneously.

Frank Armijo, Vice President of Lockheed Martin Energy, said: “Tidal turbines must be highly reliable and resilient to withstand and operate within the tough environment of a sea floor.

“These design requirements are similar to the reliability and durability needs of many of our aerospace programs. With innovations in advanced manufacturing and materials, and experiences gained in the design and production of undersea systems, space projects and aeronautics, we’re now helping to make tidal energy more reliable and effective.”

Tidal energy is produced by the surge of ocean water during the rise and fall of tides. Submerged rotors harness the power of the ocean currents to drive generators, which in turn produce electricity.

The MeyGen project is currently the largest planned tidal energy project in the world. The site, in the Pentland Firth, just 2 kilometers from Scotland’s northeast tip, covers some of the fastest flowing waters in the United Kingdom. Atlantis has a goal to deploy nearly 270 turbines to generate about 400 MW of energy, enough to power 175,000 homes.

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