QED Naval has taken a significant step forward in the development of its tidal energy technology by engaging Blackfish Engineering Design to conduct a comprehensive technical design review. This review focuses on QED’s industrial-scale Subhub-ID tidal platform and T3 tidal turbine, key components of its upcoming 4.5MW pilot project under the UK’s Contract for Difference (CfD) AR5 scheme at Morlais.
This first phase of Technical Due Diligence (TDD) collaboration has included a rigorous evaluation of the Basis of Design, design methodologies, calculation procedures, risk assessments, and quality assurance documentation. The goal is to ensure the technology is fully prepared for Final Investment Decision (FID).
Blackfish Engineering commented on the review, stating:
“Blackfish Engineering are pleased to be working with QED, by providing tidal domain expertise to conduct an independent review of the design processes. We have reviewed the entire range of design and analysis processes that have been implemented by QED, including the hydrodynamic assessments, risk management, quality manuals, requirements capture and structural analysis. As a result, we were able to validate the processes that are working well, help QED identify areas for improvement and provide valuable insights to enhance their design and documentation processes. We were particularly impressed by QED’s in-house developed Tidal and Wave Energy Evaluation Toolset (TWEET) software, which encapsulates their analysis methodology and has been validated through extensive tank testing of both platforms and turbines.”
QED Naval expressed gratitude to its engineering team for their dedication and professionalism under challenging conditions and tight timelines. The company also acknowledged the continued support of its shareholders, which has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the review will involve a deep dive into the finalised design and engineering calculations. This will support the contract tendering process with the selected supply chain partners, ensuring the technology is robust, reliable, and ready for deployment.