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Rethinking Tidal Stream Energy

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T T 2
2 Vertical axis turbines producing
2 MW in medium energy tides of 2 m/s
 

Tidal Stream Energy

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Regular, Predictable, Sustainable  Tidal stream energy (TSE) is the only 100% regular, predictable and sustainable energy source on the planet. So why is it that this immense, inexhaustible resource, currently plays no meaningful role in the race towards a world powered by carbon free energy? 

 

Today   Almost all wind turbines are horizontal axis turbines (HATs) and until now, TSE developers have mostly focused on developing submerged HATs, targeting limited remote areas with the strongest tidal streams (max. above 2.5 m/s or 5 Knots). Small numbers have been successfully deployed but the costs of installing and maintaining submerged HATs are still too high, meaning none have led to commercial scaling.

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Rethinking  â€‹ TT2 is a complete rethink. It’s innovative, patented design, using vertical axis turbines (VATs) on a concrete, seabed mounted, surface piercing, gravity base, with all electrical components above the highest waves, unlocks enormous new potential for TSE by solving the problems that have challenged the industry to date.

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Potential   Just 1 array of 250 units of TT2 in The English Channel could provide the electricity used by all homes in Portsmouth, Southampton, Bournemouth and The Isle of Wight. It is widely quoted that TSE resources around the UK could provide up to 11% of the UK's electricity consumption. For context, there are around 2800 offshore wind turbines in UK waters with many more in the pipeline.

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TT2 - Patented Vertical Axis Turbine Design

  • cost effective in large areas with medium energy tides (E.G. The English Channel)

  • unlocks viable gigawatt scale potential, close to demand.

  • a robust concrete seabed gravity base with no additional anchoring or piling

  • generators and electrical components, protected and easily serviceable above the waves.

  • "off the shelf" wind turbine style drive trains.

  • no moving parts requiring regular servicing below water.

  • no raising from the seabed during its lifetime.

  • minimal environmental impact.

  • no discernible risk to sea life.

  • installed by float out and sink technology without large vessels.

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Proven Concept   In April 2022 we successfully tested a 1/20th scale model in the Royal Navy's testing facilities in Gosport, Hampshire. Since then we have completed 3 years of further detailed design work including structural computation and extensive CFD modelling indicating that the concept is highly effective, buildable and can deliver cost effective energy at scale, close to where the demand is greatest.

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Next Steps   We are now planning to build our first full scale demonstrator for deployment at the Morlais tidal energy demonstration zone off Anglesey, N. Wales in 2026.

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To see the test, please view our video.

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TT2 Line drawing copy_edited.png
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