Clean
Current’s testing at Race Rocks has validated its
performance claims for the direct drive permanent magnet
generator and the flow enhancement duct design. The
tidal turbine generator has successfully extracted power
in flows up 6.6 knots. The Company is disappointed with
the performance of the water lubricated bearing system.
The
tidal turbine generator was successfully extracted on
May 24, 2007. The unit is being carefully inspected and
will be refitted with a new bearing system. The same
bearing system will be designed into the commercial scale unit. The
retrofit will also include an improved augmenter duct
design and an improved fouling release coating. All of the
lessons learned at Race Rocks will be incorporated into
the commercial scale design.
Update: October 2008
Clean
Current successfully redeployed the turbine at Race Rocks in October and has begun testing the improvements. Tests have been completed with tidal currents exceeding 7 knots (3.5 m/s). The improvements to the turbine include a new bearing system, replacement of all generator connectors, improved augmenter duct, and new fouling release coating. The fouling release coating will require time to validate. All other improvements have been tested and are meeting expectations.
Clean Current turbine is launched from Arrow Marine facility for voyage to Race Rocks.
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The service vessel, Lena Marie, is anchored over deployment site at Race Rocks.
Clean Current turbine is lowered onto post where divers wait to attach the unit and its cable connections
Clean Current turbine is inspected by divers from Pearson College
