UK tidal received a boost last week as two projects moved a step closer to realisation and new research and development was announced into the commercial development (R&D) of this marine energy sector.
The Government announced it was giving the greenlight to a one megawatt (MW) Welsh
tidal energy project in Ramsey Sound off Pembrokeshire, Wales, while the
Crown Estate agreed a lease on an 8 MW tidal energy farm in Kyle Rhea, between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland. At the same time, the
Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) announced last week that it was looking for partners to further boost tidal energy production by lowering the costs of commercial scale tidal stream energy converter (TEC) arrays.
The approvals and
R&D support show the pace of development happening in this emerging marine energy sector. 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.
Welsh tidal power
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne announced Tidal Energy Limited will be able to deploy its 1.2 megawatt (MW) Deltastream for a 12-month test period in Wales. The
technology is designed to use predictable currents to power turbines in the same the way wind turbines do, while minimizing impacts to the marine environment. The project can potentially power 1,000 local homes.
"The UK’s great marine heritage and our engineering genius make the potential for wave and tidal energy here vast," Huhne said. "We must make the most of our natural marine resource, not just to cut our emissions, but to boost energy security and create jobs."
The Deltastream will be assembled in West Wales, which will open up job opportunities in the area and boost the local economy.
Scottish tidal power
The Crown Estate approved an Agreement for Lease for Marine Current Turbines (MCT) to install the first tidal energy farm in the strait between the Isle of Skye and the Scottish mainland in Kyle Rhea.
"Securing The Crown Estate’s approval is a vital part of the process to deliver Scotland’s first tidal farm and set the UK on the path towards having a significant marine energy industry within the next decade," said Martin Wright, MCT ceo.
The project, which is looking to deploy the farm by 2014, is expected to produce 8 MW of electricity, enough to power 8,000 homes in highlands and the islands.
With a price tag of £40 million, MCT is looking to private sector finance as well as the Government’s Low Carbon Innovation Fund to support the project.
"Tidal energy can deliver to the UK new jobs, predictable low carbon generation and greater energy security," Wright said.
To get the project going, MCT will conduct baseline surveys and impact assessments for tidal farm before submitting an application to Marine Scotland in 2012.
Tidal R&D
The ETI, meanwhile, is looking for organisations that use or can help design low cost TEC arrays to boost tidal energy production.
First it will find organisations to identify technical ways to reduce costs and then look to develop lower cost TEC arrays.
"Marine energy technologies have the opportunity to play a major role in enabling the UK to meet its long-term
CO2 emissions reductions targets and sustain security of supply given the significant natural energy resources available within UK waters," said Dr David Clarke, ETI chief executive. "Tidal energy converter arrays need to be able to capture as much energy as possible from tidal stream flows whilst withstanding the very harsh environment associated with deployment at sea."
Lower costs are key to making TEC arrays competitive in the energy sector. The ETI is hoping to reduce costs in foundation
design, innovative power take off systems and subsea infrastructure and network connection.
"Our strategic modelling suggests that tidal energy can be a valuable part of the UK energy system with potentially more than 10 GW of capacity. To be viable, TEC arrays will need to be cost competitive with other low carbon energy sources, including nuclear, bio energy and offshore wind. With the cost improvements we expect to demonstrate in this project TEC arrays will have the opportunity to move from niche applications to wide scale deployment."
Businesses that have skills in TEC device and array design, offshore engineering and deployment, offshore electrical systems and major engineering supply chain groups are encouraged to join the project. Interested businesses must submit a notification of intention to submit a proposal by May 6, and the proposal itself needs to be received by May 23.
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