Test, validate and innovate

SmartBay General Manager John Breslin outlines how the Galway Bay test site is contributing to the development of new technologies in the ocean energy and marine sectors.

SmartBay Ireland manages the national marine test facility which is located 1.5km from Spiddal within the confines of Galway Bay. The test site is ideal for ocean energy device developers wishing to undertake low cost sea trials and validation of devices and components at various technology readiness levels.

In line with the recently published Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP), SmartBay is working in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Marine Institute to attract national and international ocean energy device developers wishing to deploy and validate prototype designs within the licensed Galway Bay test site.

Global Renewable Solutions (GRS) Project Manager Eoghan Quinn said: “GRS is delighted to work with SmartBay as we develop our ¼ scale concept. The SmartBay team has provided innovative approaches to facilitate GRS in developing its ¼ scale device, and is supporting the development of the local ocean energy industry by providing the appropriate links for GRS between local fabrication and high skilled workers.”

By supporting prototype device deployments, Ireland can position itself at the forefront of this emerging sector by developing an expert indigenous supply chain with the capacity to expand and develop as the sector grows. Ireland’s early stage involvement in the development of this industry provides the opportunity that devices or component parts can be developed and manufactured in Ireland and exported to other countries.

John Breslin, General Manager of SmartBay, outlined: “By working with developers to test and validate prototype devices and sensors, Ireland can pioneer the development of novel technologies within the ocean energy and marine ICT sectors. Furthermore, projects undertaken within Ireland’s marine test facility will help to develop new IP and local supply chain capacity and experience to manufacture, deploy and integrate device and sensor technologies leading to job growth and the potential to export these technologies.”

In its continued efforts to develop and improve the Galway Bay test site, Wi-Fi is now provided onsite. This allows high-speed data on device performance to be sent back to shore. A local device developer, Tom Benson of Benson Engineering, noted: “We have successfully completed scale model tests of our device, the ORLA Wave Pump, and are now in discussions with SmartBay Ireland with a view to deploying a ¼ scale prototype of our device in 2015. SmartBay Ireland is assisting us to develop and cost the deployment plan and will provide operational and technical support throughout the project.”

A subsea observatory, which will be operational by Q2 2015, will provide power and data connectivity to the test site and will enable users to validate the performance of ocean energy devices and sensors in a near real time. The observatory will be serviced by a power and fiber optic data cable allowing for high speed data transmission.

Texcel Technologies Plc has been awarded the contract for supplying the cable end equipment and test kit which will allow for rigorous testing of any equipment in a wet-lab environment prior to subsea installation. Texcel’s Commercial Director, Peter Shawyer, said: “This is a great opportunity for Texcel to expand the family of subsea nodes we produce, whilst working with a dynamic team in a unique project.”

SmartBay Cable installation timelines

March 2015: Cable installation

April 2015: Commissioning

If you require further information or support from SmartBay Ireland, please contact John Breslin or Diarmuid O’Connor by phone on +353 91 392900 or by email to info@smartbay.ie