The AR 1500 tidal turbine, which is designed to facilitate operation in highly energetic tidal locations, will be one of the largest single-rotor turbines ever developed and will have active rotor pitch and full nacelle yaw rotation, according to Altlantis Resources Ltd.
The manufacturer claims the increased capability and integrated, advanced functionality will help bring commercial tidal energy to reality. It will initially support the MeyGen project in Scotland’s Pentland Firth and deployment in Canada’s Bay of Fundy. (Last November Atlantis Resources purchased the MeyGen project.) Once completed, the MeyGen project – the world’s largest tidal stream project under development – is expected to deliver up to 398 megawatts of power; that's enough energy to power 200,000 homes. The MeyGen project also stands to contribute to Scotland’s goal of 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020.
“By 2040, world energy demand is expected to dramatically increase,” noted Tim Fuhr, director of ocean energy for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business. “Lockheed Martin’s technology, development and expertise in ocean systems and global system integration skills will enable the AR1500 to use powerful tides to produce safe, clean renewable energy for homes and businesses around the world.”
Last year, Lockheed Martin and Atlantis entered into an exclusive teaming partnership to develop technology, components and projects in the tidal power sector on a global basis. The new AR1500 tidal turbine Lockheed Martin is designing is expected to be one of the most technologically advanced and robust turbines ever produced. The two companies have been working together for four years, most recently on the delivery of the Energy Technologies Institute TEC Demonstrator program, which is aimed at bringing a step-change reduction in the cost of deploying tidal turbines in commercial arrays.
Tim Cornelius, CEO of Atlantis Resources Ltd., said its AR1500 development program with Lockheed Martin will ultimately deliver the rapidly growing tidal energy industry the "most advanced, robust and powerful tidal turbine system available on the market.”