An Earthbound Space Programme

One of the largest bearing manufacturers SKF, and ocean energy developer Minesto are launching a space programme to harness the Moon’s energy by leveraging the power of the tides. This space programme, in the Faroe Islands, aims to utilise the resources we already have right here on Earth.

“Imagine a future powered by the tides of the Moon. This unique project dares to dream big and is exploring the potential of renewable tidal energy,” says Annika Ölme, CTO & SVP, Technology Development, SKF. Over the past year, SKF and Minesto have been pioneering tidal energy using tidal kites in the Atlantic Sea outside the Faroe Islands. The mission is to harness the Moon’s power for predictable and renewable energy.

After its successful launch into the ocean, the tidal kite called Luna is flying underwater, invisibly and silently harvesting energy from the Moon, no matter the weather. Today, only a few of the countries with favourable tidal current conditions are beginning to utilise the full potential of moon- generated energy, the most predictable renewable energy source on the globe.

70 000 sheep

The kite Luna has a rated power of 1.2 MW, enough to power 200 villas with electricity for one year. The next goal is to implement a new 200 MW tidal energy facility. This could meet 40% of the expected electricity needs in 2030, providing green electricity to the small, remote island nation’s 50 000 people and 70 000 sheep. Unlocking the power of the tides is a joint project together with power company Sev. The vision is to reach 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030.

SKF was brought on board to design the bearing and sealing systems for the rudders and elevators of the kites. The SKF software system calculates, for example, bearing rating life and estimates CO2 emissions, which makes it possible to compare different solutions not only from a technical perspective but also from a sustainability point of view.

Short facts tidal and ocean energy:

• According to the International Energy Agency, 80 % of global electricity currently comes from fossil fuels.
• By 2050, ocean energy could potentially provide a substantial portion of the energy mix. Ocean energy is local, renewable and tides are predictable, which makes it the perfect partner to more established renewables like wind and solar.
• Ocean energy Europe estimates that ocean energy can provide 10% of Europe’s electricity and create 400.000 skilled jobs by 2050.