Base of new Bluemull Sound tidal turbine arrives in Unst.

The base of one of Nova Innovation's  100 kw tidal turbines, part of the 'Shetland Tidal Array' has arrived at Belmont in Unst. It will be sited in the fast-flowing waters of Bluemull Sound between the Shetland islands Unst and Yell, sitting alongside the world's first community-owned tidal turbine, installed by Nova last year for the North Yell Development Council. The blades of the entire five-turbine array are being manufactured by Lerwick company Shetland Composites.

Expansion underway for Lerwick's Shetland Composites after contract win announcement

Shetland Composites, based in Lerwick, is undertaking an expansion in order to enhance production and manufacturing facilities.

Fred Gibson

The company, led by Owner/Director Fred Gibson, has been awarded £69,774 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the extension to its current workshop premises on the Staney Hill Industrial Park in Lerwick.

The main areas in which Shetland Composites operates are Glass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) products such as storage containers, navigation lights, equipment for the aquaculture industry and now full size tidal machine blades. The company also specialises in bespoke requests and pioneering prototype production involving GRP.

The business has grown significantly since its move from Gremista in 2012, but there is still scope to expand on the current site. The new extension will create a temperature controlled area, dedicated ‘clean’ space for working with electronics and new office and reception area. The new extension will also increase capacity at the company, allowing it to take on more work and an additional two employees.

Fred Gibson from Shetland Composites, said: “This is a big step for us as up until now most of our work in the marine renewable sector over many years has been in the development of prototype devices. Now finally these projects are scaling up and becoming commercial viable.”

Katrina Wiseman from Highlands and Islands Enterprise said “Shetland Composites has the experience and ambition to further develop and grow out with Shetland, particularly in the energy and aquaculture markets. We are delighted to support Shetland Composites with their expansion which will further strengthen their national and international capabilities, contributing to the growth of the marine energy sector in Shetland.”

Shetland Composites has collaborated with UK and international academic institutions including the Universities of Oxford and Strathclyde. The company has a working relationship with Edinburgh Designs Ltd, a world leader in the design and production of wave tanks for research purposes, at present Fred and his team are building wave makers for projects in USA, Croatia and Ireland.

It was recently announced by the Scottish Government that Shetland Composites secured a six month contract from Edinburgh-based Nova Innovation who is developing five 100kW tidal turbines known as the Shetland Tidal Array.

The turbines, which sit more than 100ft below the waves, will be developed in two phases with commissioning of the first three devices by the end of 2015. Shetland Composites will manufacture the blades for the tidal turbines.

Scottish Enterprise and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) are supporting Nova Innovation with £1.9 million of grant and loan funding for the tidal array project.

Shetland Composites awarded major tidal power contract

One of Shetland's most innovative companies, Shetland Composites, has won the contract to manufacture blades for a tidal array being made by Nova Innovation. The Shetland Tidal Array will be sited in Bluemull Sound between the islands of Yell and Unst and will provide sufficient power for 300 homes.

Full story from ClickGreen here:  http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/news/national-news/125304-developers-of-world%5Cs-first-tidal-array-award-contract-to-shetland-company.html

The "Shetland Tidal Array": Five 100kw tidal turbines confirmed for Blouemull Sound

 Following the successful deployment of the world’s first community owned tidal turbine in Shetland, Nova Innovation (Scotland) and ELSA (Belgium) have secured funding to build the Shetland Tidal Array – potentially the world’s first in-sea tidal array.

 The £3.75M investment package supported by Scottish Enterprise will deliver this pioneering project and accelerate the growth of new projects across Europe. The partnership draws together pan-European partners and brings significant inward investment to Scotland.

 The array project will see further development of the existing Bluemull Sound site in Shetland with the deployment of a further five 100kW devices and will be developed in two phases with commissioning of the first three devices by the end of 2015.

 Energy Minister Fergus Ewing welcomed plans for the 0.5MW Shetland Tidal Array saying:

 “ELSA’s decision to invest in Scotland is a testament to the confidence felt by international investors to help develop the huge wave and tidal energy resources from the waters around the Scottish coast. The Scottish Government and its agencies will do everything we can to ensure Scotland benefits from the significant economic opportunities the renewables industry presents.”

 Olivier Bontems, Managing Director of ELSA (IDETA), said:

 “The partnership between ELSA (IDETA) and Nova Innovation contains all the fundamental elements of a successful partnership: dedicated partners; commitment to the development of renewable energy; strong innovation in GreenTech; and co-operation across European regions. We are very proud to be part of this project and to contribute to the development of green electricity in Shetland and Scotland.”

 Simon Forrest, Managing Director of Nova Innovation, said:

 “This partnership agreement will accelerate Nova Innovation’s technology development; help secure the company’s Scottish manufacturing base and expand the integrated supply chain here in Shetland and Scotland. The pan-European vision of the partnership will open up export markets and deliver real growth for the marine energy sector.”

 Seonaid Vass, director of renewables and low carbon technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said:

 “Scotland is leading the world when it comes to innovation in wave & tidal energies - and Nova's continued success is a real testament to the strengths in the sector. Seeing this tidal technology developed into in-sea tidal arrays is a significant step forward for the industry, and we will be working closely with Nova to support its work in this and other potential projects."

Shetland Times story here: http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/06/15/turbine-array-announced-for-bluemull/