#None #Minesto #Dragon 12 #Vestmanna #Dragon 4

Minesto's Progress in Vestmanna

As the innovative leader in tidal energy, Minesto continues to make strides with its Dragon testing program in Vestmanna, Faroe Islands. The Dragon 12 power plant, operational since May 2025, has been connected to the grid for a remarkable nine months, yielding critical data on its performance and operational items. Since installation, the Dragon 12 has demonstrated impressive robustness and stability, characteristics that exceeded typical commercial service intervals.

Currently, the Dragon 12 is operating in park mode as a precautionary measure since the scheduled maintenance intervals have been surpassed. Notably, Minesto’s local marine contractor has been engaged in unexpected servicing over the winter, which further complicates recovery operations for the Dragon 12. This transition to park mode serves as a safety protocol until the local vessel can resume its operations. With significant costs tied to mobilizing alternative service vessels from abroad, the decision to wait for the local vessel underscores the company's strategy of leveraging local resources.

Dr. Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto, articulated the company's competitive advantage in utilizing cost-efficient local assets like technicians and workboats. Given the robust performance data available from 2025's production, he expressed that requesting foreign vessels for maintenance was unwarranted.

In addition to the ongoing success of the Dragon 12, Minesto is making headway in preparations for the Dragon 4, which was initially launched three years ago. The Dragon 4 has undergone significant upgrades, including a Power Take-Off (PTO) system enhancement, which scales its power capacity from 100kW to 185kW. This increase not only elevates its energy capture capabilities but also maintains the existing hardware costs.

Dr. Edlund further explained that historically, the Dragon 4's 100kW generator did not fully utilize its power potential, making the advancement to 185kW crucial for optimizing energy extraction at the Vestmanna test site. As preparations for Dragon 4 activities advance, upcoming work will focus on integrating the improved units into the existing production framework.

Infrastructure Upgrades

The local service vessel's return will enable enhancements to Dragon 4 production sites. Throughout spring, further upgrades to the offshore infrastructure are scheduled, including the installation of a Battery Energy Storage (BES) system. This move constitutes a significant milestone in establishing the world’s first tidal energy microgrid amalgamated with integrated energy storage functionalities.

The aim of the Vestmanna site testing in the immediate future pivots towards commissioning and exemplifying a complete microgrid powered by reliable tidal energy sources. This ambitious Microgrid demonstration project, valued at 56 MSEK, boasts the financial backing of Minesto, Capture Energy, IVL, and the Swedish Energy Agency. It is poised to showcase Minesto's innovative microgrid solution in discussions ongoing with various clients worldwide, including potential local collaborations within the Faroe Islands.

As Minesto forges ahead in the renewable energy sector, it remains focused on utilizing local resources while achieving significant technological advancements that promise to reshape the tidal energy landscape. With projects like Dragon 12 and Dragon 4, Minesto is set to establish itself as a pioneering force in sustainable energy and microgrid solutions.

For more information on Minesto and its innovative projects, individuals can connect with Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer, to delve deeper into the future of tidal energy.