Groundbreaking new kit developed by Aberdeen-based engineer EC-OG has been powered up for the first time off Orkney.
EC-OG’s subsea power hub (SPH) was installed at European Marine Energy Centre (Emec) Shapinsay Sound test site and is currently running normally.
The SPH will now be left to run autonomously with wireless data monitoring over summer.
It is the first time a full-scale version of the SPH has gone through sea trials.
The SPH converts ocean currents into renewable energy for remote subsea locations, reducing the cost of repairing or replacing umbilicals after all-too-common power failures.
EC-OG thinks the technology will change the economics of providing reliable electrical power for offshore subsea systems. It is hoped the technology will be a catalyst for progress on marginal oil and gas projects and sway decisions to extend the life of infrastructure.
EC-OG, which stands for East Coast Oil and Gas, was founded in April 2013 by managing director Richard Knox and engineering director Rob Cowman.
Mr Cowman said: “Although the weather was not on our side, we were still able to successfully complete the installation and commence testing ahead of schedule.
“The system is performing very well and I’m pleased at how quickly the results are correlating with the theoretical basis for the test.
“Having a vertical axis turbine, means that the SPH is operating effectively in these unpredictable, sporadic flow conditions.
“Thanks go to the EC-OG team as well as those who have helped us at EMEC, Leask Marine, Castle View and Scottish Enterprise.”
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