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.

Million pound Bluemull turbine gets £573,000 Holyrood funding

A revolutionary tidal turbine to be sited in Bluemull Sound between Yell and Unst is to receive Scottish Government funding of £573,000 towards the £1m cost of development and demonstration . Nova Innovation has been awarded the cash to develop and demonstrate  a direct-drive tidal turbine under the latest competitive WATERS funding round. The innovative direct-drive generator will increase the efficiency and reliability of tidal turbines, reducing the cost of energy by 20%, and increasing the commercial returns available to Nova Innovation’s customers. Nova developed the world’s first community-owned tidal turbine in 2014 at North Yell in Shetland and will test the technology associated with the WATERS award at its consented site in Bluemull Sound, Shetland.

Welcoming the announcement Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “The Scottish Government and its enterprise agencies are working hard to ensure that small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the low-carbon economy.

“WATERS is designed to foster a culture of innovation and research and development ... I am determined that we make the most of the clean, secure and abundant energy stored in the waters around our coasts and [the WATERS award winners] are developing pioneering technologies to help us do that.”

Welcoming the awards, Maggie McGinlay, director of energy and clean technologies at Scottish Enterprise said: “Scotland is playing a key role in the development of marine energy at a global level, with the sector offering significant opportunities for our companies.

“By taking key technologies to the next stage of commercial exploitation, this latest round of WATERS funding will help create more opportunities and support the growth of the sector.”

Calum Davidson, Director of energy and low carbon at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, added: "We welcome the announcement of the WATERS 3 funding and warmly congratulate each of the successful companies. The Highlands and Islands already boasts an enviable international reputation in the development of marine renewable energy. This is underlined by today’s announcement of another company investing in our region and offering significant supply chain opportunities."

Simon Forrest, Managing Director of Nova Innovation, said: “Nova Innovation is committed to driving down the cost of tidal power through innovation. Our direct-drive generator is more reliable and efficient than a conventional geared drive train; this increases the energy generated by our turbines and reduces operating costs. The impact is a 20% reduction in lifetime cost of energy and increasing commercial return for our customers.

“This product was originally developed with the help of a Scottish Enterprise SMART award, and has benefited from a Scottish Enterprise funded Knowledge Exchange partnership with the University of Edinburgh. This as an excellent example of public funding in Scotland supporting Scottish companies to bring innovative ideas from the drawing board to the market.”

WATERS 3 is a collaborative venture between Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Story from Shetland News here: http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/10389-revolutionary-tidal-turbine-for-north-yell

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/

Major local windfarm initiative for Yell and Unst

A windfarm of up to 200MW could be built across the islands of Yell and Unst, after 18 local companies formed a united front aimed at capitalising on the proposed 300km interconnector between Shetland and Scotland. The 'Energy Isles' project could bring 'jobs, money and community benefit, according to one of those involved. Full story from The Shetland News here. http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/8060-firms-plot-big-windfarm-in-yell-and-unst

New life for Baltasound Airport? And Lerwick Harbour gets busier and busier

Chevron has confirmed it is looking into the possible reopening of the mothballed Baltasound Airport in Unst to service its Rosebank oil and gas development, according to this Shetland News story:

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7163-chevron-to-check-out-baltasound-airport


And at Lerwick Port Authority, it's a story of larger vessels, more cargo, and investment in new quays and infrastructure paying off over the past six months

Improved access and expanded deep-water facilities at the Port of Lerwick continues to deliver results, with larger vessels handling increased cargo in the first half of the year. There were 2512 vessel arrivals in the six months to June, three fewer than in the same period in 2012, with tonnage of shipping up 9% to 6.1 million gross tonnes, including 1.8 million gross tonnes of oil-related shipping, a rise of 26%. The 705 pilotage movements were up 14%, with the 4.5 million gross tonnes of vessels piloted also increased by 14%.

Cargo across the port’s near 4,000 metres of quays rose by 18% to 530,285 tonnes including oilrelated shipments higher by 42.5% at 93,063 tonnes. Support for offshore projects and shipments of equipment for the construction of the Shetland Gas Plant, near Sullom Voe, and its onward transportation by sea and road, were a feature of the period's activity.

Lerwick Port Authority Deputy Chief Executive, Victor Sandison, said: “The port handled virtually the same number of vessels, but significantly more cargo, underlining the value of ongoing investment in expanded facilities, including deep-water quays, which accommodate larger vessels, as reflected again in the tonnage of shipping this year.

“Two additional quays will be completed in the second half of the year, further expanding the infrastructure, and other developments are in the pipeline.”

Passengers using the port increased by 1% to 69,248, due to a 5% rise in ferry traffic and despite
a forecast fall in cruise passengers, down 16%, due to factors affecting specific operators.
Fish landings totalled 27,765 tonnes,  valued at £26.7 million – up 44% on volume and 40% on
value. The 5,538 tonnes of white fish were valued at £8.1 million – up 5.8% on volume and down 6% on value, with the price per tonne decreased by 11% to average £1,474 per tonne.

Numbers working offshore keep growing - and Shetland is essential in the transportation process

Offshore Worker Numbers Continue to Grow in UK Oil and Gas - and Shetland is crucial

The UK’s core offshore workforce - those who spend over 100 nights a year offshore - grew in 2012 to 25,760, the largest since 2006. Almost 57,000 people travelled offshore in total, nine per cent more than in 2011. Oil & Gas UK’s 2013 Offshore Demographics Report was published today (26 June). It shows that of those who travelled offshore in 2012: the average age is 41.1 years, similar to previous years the number of people aged under 30 years grew by 14 per cent compared with 2011 over 80 per cent is of British nationality three and half times more people work for non-operators than operators 4 per cent were female Shetland is crucial in the safe, effective, reliable and economical transportation of workers offshore via its airport facilities at Sumburgh, Scatsta, Tingwall and Baltasound in Unst, which is being considered by Chevron as a possible base . For more information on doing business in Shetland's energy sector click here