Frequently Asked Questions

Content

Where can I find general information on Tocardo turbines?

Where are Tocardo turbines already installed?

What are the considerations when investigating the opportunities for Tocardo turbines at a site?

What do I need to do before I can install a turbine?

How to measure water velocity?

What is the power potential of my site?

How are turbines optimised for different sites?

What is included in the “package” when I buy a turbine?

What is the output of the turbines?

How do you handle shipping of the turbines?

Can I become a dealer or reseller?

What are the effects of your turbines on fish and sea mammals?

What are the effects of your turbines on the water quality?

What are the effects of your turbines on sediment transport?

Answers

Where can I find general information on Tocardo turbines?

General information can be found in the main menu, under 'Turbines'. More elaborate information on particular types of turbines can be found in the product brochures, which can be found here.

Where are Tocardo turbines already installed?

In the main menu under 'Projects' you can find the projects in which Tocardo turbines are involved.

What are the considerations when investigating the opportunities for Tocardo turbines at a site?

Keep the following in mind when assessing a potential site:

Water speed: The water flow has to be at least 1.5 meter per second;
Water “quality”: Significant floating debris (ex. trees, rubbish) can be an issue;
Turbulence: White water rivers seem interesting, but less turbulent water is preferable
Depth/with: The minimum required depth/ width is 4 meters;
Historical Data: Is information on the speed and depth available or obtainable;
Mounting possibilities: How to install the turbine. Self supporting (ex: bottom mounted) or existing (ex: bride, causeway);
Accessibility: Is the site accessible for installation and maintenance;
Grid: How and where will the produced electricity be transported;
Nature: Is there considerable wildlife in the area or is it a protected area;
Other Stakeholders: Who else makes use of the area (fishing, shipping);
Licences: Which licences are needed for the installation and operation;
Installation & Maintenance: How and who will perform the installation and maintenance of the site;
Financial support: Which schemes (feed-in-tariffs, subsidies) are available for the project.

What do I need to do before I can install a turbine?

After ensuring the site is suitable for Tocardo technology, the following steps (generally) apply:

Licensing/Consenting: Ensure all necessary licences (environmental, building etc.) needed to perform the installation and operation;
Grid connection: Make sure the produced power can actually be transferred from the site to the electricity grid or a stand alone of-taker;
Turbine engineering: Obtain (historical) information on water speeds and depth in order for Tocardo to engineer the optimal turbine configuration for your site;
Site engineering: design and manufacturing of support structure and grid connections;
Finance: Organise project finance.

How to measure water velocity?

The most ideal way to measure velocities is with the use of bottom mounted ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler). Furthermore a lot of information can be obtained form official bodies like port authorities or universities. Simpler “live” methods involve the use of speedometers from the shipping industry, or for example a pitot-tube. Be aware that the value of the information is determined by the length and accuracy of the measurement. Especially when looking at tidal sites. The more historical information, the better.

What is the power potential of my site?

The estimated power potential of the site can be found by answering the questions of the 'Power calculator'.

How are turbins optimised for sites?

For a specific site the diameter of the generator versus the diameter of the blades is optimized in order to create the highest possible efficiency. For this as much (historical) information on waters speeds and depths is required.

What is included in the “package” when I buy a turbine?

The "package" contains:

The turbine;
The blades;
The control cabinet, housing the operating and monitoring electronics and the inverters;
Cabling to fully connect the turbine to the control cabinet.

What is the output of the turbines?

The turbines setup produces 400 Volts (customizable on request) AC power at either 50 or 60 Hz, delivered form the control cabinet.

How do you handle shipping of the turbines?

Turbines are delivered “free on board” (FOB) in the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We have preferred partners that can provide quotes on request.

Can I become a dealer or reseller?

Tocardo welcomes regional dealers or reseller for its turbines. Please contact the sales team of Tocardo at sales@tocardo.com for more details.

What are the effects of your turbines on fish and sea mammals?
Studies and tests show that effects are determined by a number of factors such as occupied volume/ contact area in the water, rotation speeds and sound. The relatively small, slow turning, two bladed Tocardo turbines have proved to pose a limited threat to wildlife. The average blade rotation speed is less than the water current, thus fish will “flow” through the turbine with a very low probability to be “hit” by a blade. The noise produced by the turbines is below levels considered to be disturbing for sea life. In most cases the turbine noise is superseded by the surface and bottom noise generated by the flowing water.

What are the effects of your turbines on the water quality?
The water quality is not affected by the turbines. There are no harmful substances in the turbine. For small scale projects effects on salinity, temperature, turbidity are not expected as the obstruction of the water is relatively small. For bigger projects these effects have to be investigated for each project as part of environmental licensing/ consenting.

What are the effects of your turbines on sediment transport?
The obstruction of the water flow from our turbines is small. Therefore the effects are limited. For bigger projects with multiple turbines some effects may occur in the wake of the turbines. This needs to be investigated for each project as part of environmental licensing/ consenting.

Can’t you find your question in this list? Please contact us.

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Frequently Asked Questions