1.2MW tidal energy device to be tested in Wales
Green energy news – by Ann Elise Taylor
20th July 2011
After landing £6.4 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, Tidal Energy Ltd will deploy Wales’ very first full-scale tidal stream energy generator, the company announced today.
Tidal Energy Ltd received the
greenlight from Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne in April to deploy its 1.2 megawatt DeltaStream device
in Pembrokeshire’s Ramsey Sound. It will be tested at the Welsh site by 2012, providing electricity to homes in the city of
St. Davids during its one-year demonstration period.
The project will serve as a step in realising the potential of Wales’ 1,200 kilometres of coastline, as it has been estimated that Welsh waves could provide as much as four gigawatts of
renewable energy to the region if more devices such as DeltaStream were deployed.
"The funding comes at a pivotal stage in the project, and will provide Wales with a unique opportunity to develop and demonstrate a home-grown tidal stream technology," Martin Murphy, managing director of Tidal Energy Ltd., said. "Procurement for the fabrication and installation of DeltaStream is underway and the project will create a significant number of green jobs."
How the device worksThe DeltaStream, which was invented by a Pembrokeshire engineer, was designed to be easily installed and maintained with minimal impact on the environment, the company said. The device rests on the ocean floor, gathering electricity with three horizontal axis turbines mounted to a frame, and doesn’t require a positive anchoring system.
According to the release, Cranfield University has served as a major player in designing the device over the past three years and will continue its work with the project by aiding in deploying, overseeing and monitoring DeltaStream’s performance.
In light of this
investment, Tidal Energy Ltd. has collected £11 million to manufacture and deploy the DeltaStream technology, a portion of which was provided by majority shareholder Eco2 Ltd. Government officials hope that investing in the project will create returns for both the environment and the Welsh community.
"There is huge potential for marine energy in Wales, and projects like DeltaStream will not only help meet our energy targets, but will provide further opportunities for local communities as well as businesses, creating both environmental and economic benefits," First Minister Carwyn Jones said.
The Carbon Trust estimates that 15 per cent of electricity in the UK could be generated from marine sources, with two gigawatts (GW) by 2020 and 30 GW by 2050. The Government also estimates that by 2050, 15 million homes could receive their power from tidal turbines.
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