Irish turbine company OpenHydro has chosen Tritech’s Gemini imaging sonars to monitor the tidal turbines it uses for renewable projects.
The sonars are used to monitor the installation and recovery of tidal turbines and sea base units.
OpenHydro also bought a Gemini sonar which will be permanently installed on a tidal turbine to monitor the environment. This sonar has had the Tritech SeaTec software package installed which gives target tracking, probability classification functionality and is customised to meet the specific needs of the customer.
The Gemini 720i operates at 720kHz to give high-resolution sonar imagery at a range of 120 metres and with a full 120 degree field of view.
OpenHydro project manager Mark Cobbe said: “The Tritech Gemini was selected because we achieved excellent clarity at both long and short range.
“After a brief hire period for projects in Canada, the Gemini sonar continued to prove itself as a robust and reliable system during operations in France. It was therefore the logical choice to continue using this trusted and easy-to-operate sonar as we expanded onto different projects.”
Tritech sales director Scott McLay said: “Tritech has led the way with many innovative technologies and this application proves the diversification of our technologies into different markets.
“Providing OpenHydro with a solution to both support their deployment activities and permanently monitor around a marine turbine structure further highlights Gemini’s effectiveness as a reliable real-time monitoring solution.”
Image: Openhydro barge (Brehat)
