Digest of recent tidal energy development news worldwide
by David Hoyle
General Interest
This article provides an overview of recent tidal and wave energy projects worldwide with emphasis on Europe. There is a link to a comprehensive report, Ocean Energy Key Trends and Statistics 2021, which covers ocean energy trends worldwide.
Investment in ocean energy increases 50% in 2021 – Energy
USA
The DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office has selected eight tidal and wave energy projects for funding.
US DOE selects eight marine energy projects for funding support – Offshore Energy
Oscilla’s Triton-C wave energy converter delivers 100 kW of power.
Oscilla’s wave energy converting vessel captures power for use onshore – ControlGlobal.com
The first salt-water deployment in Alaska of Ocean Renewable Power Company’s turbine technology.
A tidal energy project could power machinery at Port MacKenzie – Alaska Public Media
In the DOE’s Waves to Water competition, innovators design small devices to harness wave energy to desalinate seawater. Five devices made it to the DRINK Finale and started their first open-ocean tests.
Innovators compete in Nags Head using waves to turn ocean water into drinking water – The Virginian-Pilot
New Jersey is considering wave energy as part of its Energy Master Plan. Several wave energy company experts spoke to the New Jersey Assembly Special Committee on Infrastructure and Natural Resources.
Experts tout wave-energy benefits during Assembly hearing – NJBIZ
Canada
Sustainable Marine successfully connected its PLAT-I 6.4 floating tidal turbine to the Nova Scotia power grid in May, harnessing the tide in the Bay of Fundy to produce 420 kW of electricity. Sustainable Marine is also working with German organizations to develop and test new foil (turbine blade) designs and materials.
An East Coast project is harnessing the power of the world’s largest tides. Will it succeed where others have failed?
Milestone in Canadian-German EvoFoil collaboration – International Water Power
Ocean Renewable Power Company’s RivGen turbine will be tested at the Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Centre. The CHTTC, located on the Winnipeg River in Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba is a national center focused on the testing of hydrokinetic turbines.
Canadian hydrokinetic test center to deploy ORPC’s RivGen power system – Offshore Energy
This Canadian buoy uses wave and solar power to produce up to 2600 gallons of fresh water from seawater per day.
Modular solar PV and wave power desalination buoys from Canada – PV Magazine
United Kingdom
Construction has started on the Morlais tidal stream energy project off Anglesea, Wales, which has ambitions to generate enough electricity to power 180,000 homes. Note that the US company Verdant Power, which has been testing turbines in NYC’s East River, is competing for a contract to install turbines.
Welsh project bags EU funding to develop tidal power technology
Construction work begins on Menter Môn’s Morlais tidal energy scheme – The National Wales
A tidal lagoon project valued at nearly nine billion dollars planned for North Wales could generate enough electricity to power every home in Wales. The second article discusses some of the environmental considerations.
£7 billion tidal lagoon could generate enough electricity to power every home in Wales
Boss behind £7bn North Wales tidal lagoon project says they will do ‘everything we can’ to minimise impact on sealife – North Wales Live
The idea of building a tidal barrage across the Severn Estuary between Wales and England is being reconsidered.
Case for £30 billion Severn tidal barrage ‘urgent and compelling’- Punchline
A turbine blade test facility called FastBlade was opened in Scotland. The facility is capable of doing accelerated life testing of turbine blades more than 50 feet long.
Tidal Blade Facility to Be Leading Edge of Green Energy Testing – Industrial Equipment News (IEN)
Rest of World
Tidal energy company Minesto has proposed an ambitious plan to generate 120 MW of tidal stream energy for the Faroe Islands (part of Kingdom of Denmark). Minesto’s underwater kites fly figure-eights in slow speed tidal currents; the fast speed of the flying kite relative to the water drives the turbine to generate electricity.
Minesto floats 120 MW Faroe Islands tidal power scheme – Splash247
Eco Wave Power has signed an agreement with Port Adriano in Mallorca, Spain to deliver a 1-2 MW wave energy power plant.
Port Adriano to get wave energy plant – Majorca Daily Bulletin
US company Oscilla Power is developing a 1 MW wave energy convertor for Kerala, India.
Project for power from sea waves inches a step closer – The Hindu
A project in Australia is studying whether wave energy convertors can be used to protect coastlines by absorbing and deflecting energy from potentially dangerous waves during a storm.
Novel Australian project examines if renewable energy machines can protect coastlines – PV Magazine Australia
In Japan, a 330-ton prototype turbine, designed to be anchored to the sea floor 30-50 meters (100-160 feet) below the surface to take advantage of relatively stable deep-ocean currents, generated the expected 100 kilowatts during tests, prompting its developer to start planning a 2-megawatt system.
Giant Deep Ocean Turbine Trial Offers Hope of Endless Green Power – Bloomberg
A 1-megawatt tidal turbine has started exporting power to Ushant Island off the coast of France.
Sabella’s 1MW tidal turbine starts exporting power in France – Offshore Energy
A center for accelerating development of marine energy and showcasing marine energy innovation has opened in the Netherlands.
Marine Energy Hub opens in the Netherlands – Offshore Energy