The UK has legally binding targets for the reduction in CO2 by 2020. A key way of achieving
this is through the deployment of renewable energy. A promising technology is Tidal Energy
Converters (TEC) that use fast moving tidal streams to generate electricity using subsea
turbines. Deployment of these is expensive as they are typically pinned or held to the sea bed
through gravity anchors. Sustainable Marine Energy Limited (SME) is developing a buoyant
TEC platform that allows TECs to be operating in the fastest part of the stream. A key
enabling technology for this concept is the use of removable ground anchors to which the
buoyant device is tethered. This project aims to develop and prove a new removable rock
anchor technology and accompany innovative drilling rig that is capable of fast deployment,
using small work boats at a fraction of the cost of traditional technologies.
Innovation lies within two key areas, the design of the removable anchor and the way in
which loads are distributed into the host rock formations and where the deployment time is
kept to a minimum and the development of a subsea drilling rig capable of deploying the new
anchor quickly and effectively in fast stream conditions.
The overall project cost is just over £550k and a grant of just under £250k is requested from
the TSB. The key objectives are to design and manufacture a new rock anchor based on
patented technology, prove the anchor and drilling capabilities on dry land, controlled subsurface
conditions and a sea trial. Finally the aim is to have the anchor solution certified by
DNV the international accreditation body.
The enabling anchor technology can be applied across many offshore renewable technologies
(Tidal, Wave, Buoyant off shore wind platforms etc) and is also applicable in the oil and gas
industry and other offshore industries.