Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 2, Lloyd’s Register (LR), a marine classification society, has granted Scotland’s Orbital Marine Power an International Electrotechnical Commission for Renewable Energy (IECRE) feasibility statement for its O2-X tidal energy converter (TEC). This milestone advances the company’s efforts to scale tidal energy technology. The O2-X, an enhanced version of the O2 turbine operating at Scotland’s Fall of Warness, is designed to produce 2.4 MW of clean energy from tidal flows.

Orbital Marine Power aims to deploy the O2-X in the UK, Canada, and the U.S., targeting offshore operations, coastal infrastructure, and maritime electrification. LR, the only renewable energy certification body with marine energy expertise, evaluated the O2-X during a ten-day technology qualification workshop. The process involved 11 LR specialists and 22 Orbital technical experts, adhering to IEC TS 62600-4 standards. This review resulted in a Technology Qualification Plan to ensure reliability, efficiency, and safety, followed by the IECRE feasibility statement—the first step toward full certification.

Winston D’Souza, Global Technical Authority for Offshore Renewables at LR, stated: “In awarding Orbital with an IECRE Feasibility Statement, we recognise an important milestone in the certification of a pioneering tidal energy technology. Their rigorous engineering approach underscores the UK’s position at the forefront of the marine renewable sector.” He added that LR will continue supporting Orbital’s path to full certification and the integration of tidal energy into power grids.

The O2-X builds on the O2 turbine with upgrades for better performance. It features an 83-meter hull, a 900-tonne displacement, and operates in water depths of at least 30 meters. Its flexible mooring system, using drilled or gravity-based anchors, ensures stability in strong tidal currents. Calum Miller, Engineering Manager – New Turbines at Orbital Marine Power, said: “We are pleased to have reached this important milestone in the certification process for our series production model turbine, the O2-X. We welcome the independent scrutiny as a means to both reduce technical risk and to reinforce our stakeholders’ confidence in our rigorous engineering approach.”

In January 2025, Orbital Marine Power secured funding through the U.S. TEAMER program’s fourteenth request for technical support. Partnering with the University of Washington and MarineSitu, the company will develop environmental monitoring systems for floating tidal turbines. TEAMER allocated nearly $1.9 million to 15 marine energy projects, including this initiative.

The IECRE feasibility statement positions Orbital Marine Power to advance tidal energy globally. The O2-X’s development reflects growing interest in sustainable marine energy, with LR’s certification process ensuring its readiness for widespread use.