Minesto’s 1.2 MW Dragon 12 tidal power plant has performed as expected in the first three months of operation, and the data generated highlights the commercial readiness of the Dragon class system reported the Swedish company.
The 1.2 MW power plant was installed and commissioned at the Vestmanna site in the Faroe Islands in early February. The result was three months of trouble-free testing and power generation, providing valuable results and data that underline the plant's commercial readiness. Minesto said Dragon-class technology can be realized at commercial scale.
Actual test data from the commercial-scale D12 is now available to customers and will be used to demonstrate autonomous functionality, product performance, and service interval analysis.
“With the generated test data in hand, we can conclude that the Dragon class is ready for batch production to realize the first tidal energy array.” Said martin edlundRepresentative director of Minesto.
Additionally, in the Vestmana Strait, the larger Dragon 12 is accompanied by a smaller 100 kW Dragon 4. This means two systems are installed and grid-connected in parallel, creating what is said to be the world's first mini-array of tidal energy kites. In operation.
According to Minesto, operating the two systems in parallel will contribute to new ways of testing and learning in core areas such as kite park design, product range modularity and performance optimization. .
The Swedish company has installed two systems and is in the most active operation in the company's history, yet maintains a cost-effective setup, utilizing the same small workboat and quay for all kites. He said he was working at one site.
Minesto plans to continue power generation and testing as an integral part of its ongoing commercial deployment plans. The purpose of continuous testing is to ensure the competitive advantage of Dragon Class technology, its ability to deliver a commercially viable product, and to improve performance to further expand the available market. It's about continuing to prove it.
“It is gratifying and extremely important that the Dragon 12 deployment in February saw three months of successful production testing. A full-scale D12 power plant and extensive test site infrastructure. Our significant investment in provides maximum value in generating production data that provides evidence of commercial readiness.” Said edland.
“This is critical technical data that our partners and site project investors are looking for, and we are currently providing it to reduce perceived risk in multiple sales and project investment conversations underway. ”
