Dynamic consultancy and project delivery company Tadek Ocean Engineering, have recently delivered an innovative mooring and cable solution system.
The system, developed by Aberdeen-based Verlume, connects Mocean Energy’s Blue X wave energy converter with a Halo underwater battery storage system.
Having recently completed a 12-month test program off the coast of Scotland, the £2 million project aims to reach the finish line this spring.
Tadek also managed the procurement of the cable and mooring system, while producing installation procedures with Leask Marine.
Tadek Senior Engineer, Nigel Terry, who led the prestigious design project, said the novel mooring and ‘lazy wave’ cable solution allowed the device to weathervane, without inhibiting the energy-capturing motion. The robust and reliable design is able to withstand extreme motions and excursion. He added:
“A key aspect of the design was Tadek’s bespoke swivel unit which incorporated a mechanical swivel for the mooring and a slip ring for electrical.
This was a complex and challenging design without precedent which succeeded against formidable odds, and was tested above the design conditions and fatigue life.
Not often as a designer are you given such free reign, and our work on the RSP project pays testament to the trust which clients have in us to make executive decisions and take responsibility for the work.”
Nigel Terry, Senior Engineer, Tadek
Supporting green technologies
The industry-supported project, situated 5km east of Orkney Mainland, demonstrates the integration of green technologies, delivering consistent and sustainable low-carbon power and communication to subsea equipment.
It aims to demonstrate a cost-effective alternative to umbilical cables, known for their carbon intensity and lengthy procurement and installation processes.
Energy companies, including TotalEnergies and Shell Technology, support the Marine Renewable Program and have partnered with the project in a pan-industry effort, which also includes participation from PTTEP, the Thai national oil company, Serica Energy, Harbour Energy, Baker Hughes, Transmark Subsea, and the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC).
In October 2023, the East coast of Scotland suffered extreme weather conditions for a sustained period, with the arrival of Storm Babet. Tadek’s mooring and umbilical designs, installed a year prior, were subjected to 6-7m wave heights. The infrastructure remained firmly in place with the device continued to deliver power.
Andy Martin, Chief Commercial Officer at Verlume who manage the operations facility in Dyce, Aberdeen said:
“The test programme has been a tremendous success. This phase of RSP was initially conceived as a four-month at-sea demonstration, but the quality of data and the robustness of our combined technologies, as well as tremendous support from the oil majors, led us to extend the programme to a full year.
We now have increasing confidence in the reliability and the commercial potential of this system.”
Andy Martin, Chief Commercial Officer, Verlume
The final phase of the RSP project will involve the removal of all equipment from the site, ahead of inspection and clean down onshore in Orkney and at Verlume’s operations facility in Dyce, Aberdeen.
“All technology providers will examine critical components for wear and tear against performance metrics defined both individually and as a fully integrated power and communications ecosystem.
A key part of this process will be assessing lessons learned and any future upgrades that may be required for a fully commercial system.”
Ian Crossland, Commercial Director, Mocean Energy
The joint industry participants and developers are currently assessing near-term and future strategies for additional deployment or potential testing on live assets.
This may encompass the deployment of a similar project in Scottish waters, and/or new projects overseas, to showcase how the combination of green technologies can facilitate dependable low-carbon power and communication to subsea equipment in a live environment.
About Tadek Ocean Engineering
We are an agile, knowledgeable partner for the offshore industry, specialising in providing complex analysis, innovative approaches, and robust solutions, ensuring a tailored service for our clients.
With services in SURF & Marine Analysis, FOW & Floating Systems Design, Structural Design, Naval Architecture, and project engineering & project management support to Marine Projects.
We work collaboratively as trusted partners, dovetailing with stakeholders and project teams, to provide specialist consultancy, engineering solutions, and practical project delivery.
Our expertise has benefited over 200 successful projects worldwide; supporting a wide range of requirements from high-value corporate projects through to prototype works.