FEATURE SPONSOR


SPOTLIGHT ON THE BASQUE COUNTRY


TEST FACILITIES FOR FLOATING


OFFSHORE ENERGY DEVELOPERS


BiMEP (Biscay Marine Energy Platform) provides research, testing and


demonstration facilities for developers


working in the field of ocean and floating offshore wind energy


The test facilities are located in two different sites: BiMEP itself, in the village of Armintza and the other in the town of Mutriku.


The privileged location of BiMEP offers excellent access from all areas of Europe, a highly developed technological support network and favourable wave and wind conditions for testing. These facilities are a clear example of the commitment of the Basque Government to develop marine energy through the efforts of the Basque Energy Agency (EVE).


BIMEP SITE


BiMEP is an open sea test area located off the coast of Armintza, in the province of Bizkaia. Operating since June 2015, BiMEP offers technology developers an offshore area with suitable wave and wind resources, thereby enabling the demonstration and validation of the technical and economic viability of different concepts of energy converters, equipment and materials prior to commercial development.


The test area is connected to an onshore substation via four 5MW subsea cables and data collection is made possible through a remote monitoring and control system set up in a nearby dedicated facility.


MUTRIKU SITE


The Mutriku facility is located inside the Mutriku wave power plant, in the province of Gipuzkoa. Inaugurated in 2011, this commercial power plant uses oscillating water column technology to harness wave energy. The plant, built into a breakwater and with a capacity of 296KW, has been in constant operation, supplying more than 1,400,000kWh to the grid.


www.wavetidalenergynetwork.co.uk 15


Today, two chambers of the power plant have been equipped with sensors and power electronics to offer technology developers the possibility of testing new concepts of air turbines, generators, control strategies and auxiliary equipment in real sea conditions.


KEY INITIATIVE


As a key initiative within the Basque strategy on ocean energy, BiMEP is designed to promote the development of business activities in new and emerging areas, thereby helping to provide the Basque industrial fabric and scientific and technological players with a sound technological base and starting point for the development of the ocean energy sector.


BiMEP


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