Power Quality Performance of the Tidal Energy Converter, SeaGen Available to Purchase

SeaGen is an in-stream 1.2MW tidal energy converter (TEC) located in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland that has been in almost continuous service since May 2009. This technical paper first outlines the characteristic features of the TEC itself and its power take-off system, followed by the electrical and marine environments of its location, and finally it presents the results of its power quality performance assessment. The PQ assessment was carried out using the existing European Norm EN50160 for assessing permissible voltage parameter variations on public electricity networks and the conclusions drawn are from data collected over a number of months of operation of the device.