In WP1, project findings were disseminated to the marine energy sector and scientific community through channels such as trade shows, scientific journals, and conferences. The Italian channel Rai News 24 provided coverage during turbine demonstration tests, with TG4 and Raidio na Gaeltachta further publicly communicating results. The demonstration tests hosted approximately 250 visitors, including researchers in specialist committees such as the International Towing Tank Committee and members of the Italian PNRR-MOST Project. The consortium attended 25 conferences to gain traction within the marine energy market, and 18 scientific publications were created that were at least partially funded by the project, with 4 currently under preparation.
WP2 underwent Global and European market analysis for tidal energy and created a refined business plan and commercialisation strategy for ORPC, Eire Composites and MCAM. An extensive global review was performed to determine the commercial, technical, and environmental operating requirements for the proposed devices and considered the wider global opportunity for tidal energy, regulatory environment, revenue supports and overall commercial attractiveness. It revealed a cumulative 30.2MW of tidal stream technology deployed in Europe since 2010, with governments allocating greater funds to ocean energy, recognising its potential to enhance energy security amid unprecedented strain on energy supplies. A SWOT analysis of the CRIMSON technology is included. A business plan was created which details the route-to-market and the financing and operational/resource allocation strategy based on expected generated revenue. It outlines the projected commercial risks and returns, and associated funding requirements. CRIMSON addressed sectoral needs with a focus on lowering the CAPEX and OPEX of turbines, whilst aligning with broader policy trends towards the circular economy.
In WP3, the rCF material was de-risked for application in the marine environment through rigorous mechanical testing in ÉIRE’s certified Composites Testing Laboratory. The environmental impact of using rCF for this novel application was evaluated, demonstrating that use of recycled materials will create a far more environmentally friendly product. The mechanical testing results were incorporated into the design of the new MHK turbine in WP4, where numerous manufacturing trials were performed to develop a process suitable for volume production, and a demonstrator full-scale foil was manufactured including FBG sensors for structural health monitoring (SHM). Upon completion, the fully assembled MHK turbine was transferred to Rome for operational trials.
WP5 involved structural testing of the CRIMSON turbine foil. The testing programme adhered to stringent test specifications and covered dynamic, static and fatigue testing, as well as residual strength tests including a destructive static test. Significant achievements include reporting 1,300,000 fatigue cycles – the highest ever reported for a tidal turbine blade under dry laboratory conditions – and the ability to withstand 115% of idealised maximum loading conditions at the foil's cantilever end. The full-scale operation tests in the CNR-INM large towing tank in WP6 considered a full range of turbine operating conditions in more than 220 runs covering the tank length. Data collected provided key insights into turbine performance and relevant parameters, revealing CAPEX and OPEX reductions for the scalable turbine, ultimately capable of use on a 2MW tidal device. Funding was secured for the first deployment of an ORPC turbine in Europe, planned for Strangford Lough in Q3 2024.
