Minesto generates power from tidal and ocean currents with measurement technology from HBK

Introduction

Strain gauges critical in green technology project Swedish clean tech companyMinesto already extracts one of the bigger energy sources of the future. At the moment, their award-winning tidal power plants are being tested in the ocean depths off the coast of Northern Ireland. Inside the prototype, HBK strain gauges play a key role in verifying how the plant behaves in the water and how it measures the forces to which it is exposed. Oceans cover 70 percent of the earth’s surface. This largely untapped energy source is the focus of Minesto, the largest marine energy company in the Nordics. In 2007, Minesto developed a new concept for tidal power called Deep Green.

Moisture and space - a challenge

Although the strain gauges are relatively protected inside the power plant, it is important to ensure that the moist environment in no way affects the measurement result. Thanks to its proven installation and sizing technology for offshore environments, HBK can guarantee this. The lack of space inside the prototype creates another challenge, leading HBK to glue the strain gauges directly onto the plant components before they are assembled in Minesto’s lab. Testing and measurement throughout the design process is a given at Minesto: “You can calculate anything, but only if you’re aware of its existence. There are always surprises in the form of wind, waves or other unknown loads. Therefore, it is necessary not only to simulate loads, but also to verify reality,” says says Heije Westberg. “Since we cannot over-dimension the power plant just to be on the safe side, we have to know exactly what kind of forces it is subjected to.”

Global plans

Measurement will continue to play a critical role at Minesto. In the first full-scale plant, plans are made to include equipment for force measurement. The company has big plans for the future - generating commercial electricity from slow ocean and tidal currents. There are also global opportunities, with projects already underway in several continents. Minesto continues its work to live up to the mission to help minimize the global footprint of the energy sector.

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