Test Sites

Strangford Lough is a large sea loch of approximately 150km^2 in County Down, NI, with a narrow inlet where fast flowing tides and a confused sea state provide ideal tidal test conditions. 

 

 

This area has already been used to test a tidal device with the installation of MCT's device SeaGen in 2008. Devices can be tested in tidal flows up to 2m/s in the anchorages and 4m/s in the main channel. Wave Barrier's rig has most recently been used for array testing of two mono-strut turbines, for site comparison with Montgomery Lough. The field office is situated in Portaferry, with all facilities required for device testing, including an underwater cable led from the mooring to the lab for device power supply and data acquistion.