Moventas, the new energy technology expert and multi-brand service provider, has been chosen as the sole gearbox development partner for Alstom to equip the raz Blanchard pilot tidal farm in Northern France.

Moventas' gearbox technology expertise will soon be harnessed in tidal energy for the first time. Alstom has been chosen to supply for a pilot tidal energy farm in raz Blanchard, and Alstom has selected Moventas to develop the tidal turbines' gearboxes.

The Alstom Oceade 18 - 1.4 MW turbine has already been tested as a 500kW version in 2011-2012 and in 1MW version in 2013-2014 with 1.5GWh injected to the grid, and building on this experience Alstom will install an improved 1.4 MW version for raz Blanchard. With 5.6 MW in total capacity, the project equipped with four Oceade will be able to supply power to 5,000 people, with construction planned to start in 2017.

The gearbox that Moventas is in the process of designing, and customer-specific modifications are being made by Moventas' engineers. Condition management with Moventas CMaS is imperative sub-sea, and extra attention is being paid on overall gearbox reliability with special features such as accessories and lubrication systems.

"We are very excited and honored to be a part of this project. What is even more crucial with tidal gearboxes than wind turbine gearboxes, reliability and availability must be uncompromising. That's our trademark and success factor in this venture," comments Moventas CEO Arto Lahtela.

As Moventas and its predecessors' history extends back over 70 years, the company can also use its past marine track record for Alstom's benefit. Moventas celebrates its 35th jubilee this year, having delivered its first wind turbine gearbox in 1980.