Protecting the O2 tidal energy turbine
The Orbital O2 recently celebrated a year since its launch date and approximately 10 months delivering power for the UK grid.
The Orbital O2 is a significant milestone not just for the tidal sector, but for the development of renewable energy technology in general. Designed by Scottish engineering company Orbital Marine Power, Ltd (Orbital), the Orbital O2 is the world’s most powerful tidal turbine. It is positioned in the Fall of Warness, off the Orkney Islands, in Scotland.
Hempel has been involved in the project since Orbital’s prototype SR2000 turbine was built in 2015, proving their technology and leading the way for the further optimised O2. As well as high-performance anti-corrosion coatings to protect the steel structure, Hempel supplied Hempaguard X7 for the turbine rotor blades. Developed specially for marine vessels, Hempaguard X7 prevents the build-up of biofouling, such as algae and barnacles. On a ship, this keeps the hull smooth to reduce drag and lower fuel consumption and associated emissions. On the O2, the coating performs a similar role, keeping the rotor blades free from biofouling so they can deliver full power with each rotation.
Hempel is proud to be playing a part in the development of O2, a groundbreaking project with the potential to help make tidal energy a viable source of energy in the UK and overseas.
“We rely heavily on our supply chain to help deliver our pioneering technology such that it exceeds expectations, and in that regard we are delighted to continue our relationship with Hempel for our novel coating applications,” explains Andrew Scott, CEO, Orbital Marine Power.
Coatings partner to an ambitious project
The Orbital O2 tidal energy turbine is in operation off the coast of the Orkney Islands at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), where tidal currents can reach over four metres per second, making them some of the strongest in the world.
To harness this energy, Orbital’s O2 comprises two 1MW turbines, which together can generate 2MW of clean, predictable energy.
At a glance
| Customer | Orbital Marine Power, a privately-held company dedicated to helping make the transition to renewable energy |
| Project | Orbital 02, the world’s largest tidal energy turbine. |
| Coating systems | External steel: Hempadur Multi-Strength GF 35870 (two coats)
Internal steel: Hempadur Easy (two coats) Blades: Hempadur 15570 (two coats), Hempadur 27310, Hempaguard X7. |
| No of litres | 5,000. |
The challenge
Turbines of this type present two distinct coating challenges. The steel structure requires tough anti-corrosion coatings to protect it from the harsh sea conditions. At the same time, the rotors are susceptible to marine biofouling. If biofouling builds up, it can increase drag in the water, significantly reducing the rotors’ power-generating ability.
The solution
Hempel’s protective team took on the task of designing a coating system for the O2, in close collaboration with its technical service specialists, who performed inspections at each stage of the build. During the prototyping stage, the paint company worked closely with Orbital to design and test the best coating systems for the O2. When construction of the full-scale turbine began, Hempel worked with the coating application company Rybay Corrosion Services to ensure the coatings were applied correctly and would perform as required over the long term.
Hempadur Multi-Strength GF 35870, a high-build coating designed for extremely corrosive conditions, such as areas partially submerged in seawater, was used on the external steel.
Hempadur Multi-Strength GF 35870 is also highly abrasion resistant and is often used on vessels and structures in icy waters, where ice floes can cause significant damage.
For the rotors, Hempel specified a system based on its Hempaguard X7 hull coating, which uses unique Actiguard technology to prevent the build-up of biofouling. Since its launch in 2013, Hempaguard X7 has been applied to a wide range of marine vessels and has been proven to perform in all sea conditions. On the O2, it will ensure the rotors remain smooth and fouling-free – and so capable of generating full power in every rotation.
As mentioned at the start, the O2 has been in the water for just over a year now and Nick Frowen, Director of Infrastructure Northern Europe at Hempel, told PCE-International: “We are extremely pleased by the performance level of the coatings used on the Orbital O2 tidal turbine to date. The tidal energy turbine is still corrosion free, and aligned with our expectations there is little evidence of biofouling on the turbine rotor blades and other key areas.”
