Marine energy firm Aquamarine Power has made a “significant” investment in a company developing a tidal stream device said to be suitable for high-energy environments like the Pentland Firth.
The Edinburgh company has backed Ocean Flow Energy, which is run by Graeme Mackie, a naval architect involved in developing Aquamarine Power’s own “Oyster” wave power device over the last three years.
Ocean Flow Energy is developing a floating device called an “Evopod”, which is capable of hosting a tidal stream turbine.
The system, which could ultimately be used to mount Aquamarine’s own “Neptune” turbine is moored, but otherwise able to move to find the best direction to generate power from tidal flow.
Ocean Flow Energy, which is based in North Shields, has already worked with the wave and tidal power research group at Queen’s University Belfast and the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) on its device.
It began testing a tenth scale prototype in Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland, in June 2008. A smaller device has already been tested at the University of Newcastle’s flume tanks.
Full-scale
The Aquamarine investment should now lead to development of a full-scale device.
Graeme Mackie said today: “We have made significant progress with the device to date, taking it out of the tank and into real tidal flow conditions at Strangford. Together with Aquamarine Power we are looking forward to launching a second, full scale device at sea.”
Aquamarine Power, which did not disclose the exact sum of the investment, said the Evopod would compliment its existing marine energy technologies.
It said the semi-submersible Evopod was designed to generate electricity in “exposed, deep water sites”.
And, with deployment and maintenance systems as important as technology concerns to marine energy projects, the company said the Evopod system is easily accessible from the water, with a special proprietary system to easily disconnect the floating rig from its mooring lines.
“The device’s patented low motion hull is innovative in that it makes it suitable for operation in harsh environments, such as the Pentland Firth,” the company said.
The Pentland Firth, between the Orkney Isles and mainland Scotland, is one of the first areas of the UK coastline to be opened up for marine energy projects (see this New Energy Focus story).
The two companies have suggested that the Evopod system could ultimately be used to mount Aquamarine’s own tidal turbine system, called Neptune.
“Important step forward”
Aquamarine Power chief executive Martin McAdam said: “We are very enthusiastic about the new partnership with Ocean Flow Energy and are delighted to be working with the team. It is an important step toward accessing the full range of tidal stream energy out there.
“With more than 50% of the UK’s tidal resource located in waters greater than 40 metres deep, the market demand for Evopod is expected to be very strong and Aquamarine Power will be taking full advantage of that,” Mr McAdam added.
Mr Mackie said of the Aquamarine Power investment: “This is a major milestone on the path to commercialisation for Ocean Flow Energy and demonstrates the confidence that people have in the device and its potential to create clean, green energy.”
via New Energy Focus – Aquamarine invests in tidal device suitable for Pentland Firth.
