Whitford is working with European Marine Energy Centre to test various high-performance coatings within the harsh oceanic conditions in Orkney.
The project will see the UK coatings manufacturer analyse existing and developmental coating products to assess their suitability for wave and tidal applications, as well as offshore wind and oil and gas.
For the initial stages of the project, Whitford is testing coated panels and bolts in Stromness Harbour which can be seen on the side of the pier at low tide.
EMEC said the pier is a good representation of a ‘splash zone’, or intermittently exposed to air and immersed in the sea. The panels are therefore subject to a range of wet and dry conditions as the test pieces are submerged in line with the ebb and flow of the tide.
“We’ll be exposing the coatings at different locations and for different periods of time to assess their durability. The pier provides an easily accessible location which can be easily reached and regularly monitored for the initial stages of this project,” said Whitford renewable energy manager Gareth Berry.
EMEC director Neil Kermode added: “Effective coatings are vital to ensure wave and tidal energy devices survive and continue to work whilst at sea. The performance of the Whitford coatings has been remarkable.”
Initial tests will be revealed at the International Conference on Ocean Energy in Edinburgh, which takes place 23-25 February.
Image: Whitford coating trials at Stromness Harbour (EMEC)
