Wales Gets First Commercial Tidal Turbine

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The first full-scale tidal energy generator for Wales has been launched and will form the basis for one of a number of ambitious tidal energy projects planned off the region's coast.

Developed by Cardiff-based tidal stream technology company Tidal Energy Ltd. (TEL), the DeltaStream device will be installed in Ramsey Sound, Pembrokeshire, following its unveiling. Tidal Energy, which is majority owned by renewable energy company Eco2 (Cardiff, Wales), claimed the device is one of the world's first demonstration tidal devices. European Union (EU) funding played a key role in getting the DeltaStream completed.

Named "Ysbryd y Mor", meaning "Spirit of the Sea," the DeltaStream 400-kilowatt (kW) turbine weighs in at 150 tons and is supported by a triangular frame measuring 16 meters long by 20 meters wide. The frame, which sits flat on the seabed without the need for a positive anchoring system, can support a turbine at each corner bringing total output to 1.2 megawatts (MW). It will be installed and tested in Ramsey Sound for a 12-month trial.

The Crown Estate, which manages the U.K. seabed, has previously granted a lease agreement for a tidal energy project off St David's Head, Pembrokeshire, to Eco2 and Tidal Energy. They are hoping to install a 10-MW project in 2016/17, which should generate enough power for about 10,000 homes.

Managing Director of Tidal Energy, Martin Murphy, said, "This is a significant milestone for us as a company and for the industry as a whole. We have achieved a number of firsts with this project, including those relating to the environmental consents, the grid connection and the installation process--where the turbine and foundation are installed together. The imminent launch of DeltaStream, and the supply chain that now exists as a consequence of its development, marks the birth of the tidal industry in Wales."

Commenting on the project, the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said: "I'm delighted that Wales' first full scale tidal stream energy generator has been supported with almost £8 million from the European Regional Development Fund. This is a landmark project for Wales, which will not only help us to meet our sustainable energy ambitions, but will also provide significant opportunities for local people and businesses."

Wales is aiming to become the world's leading destination for tidal projects. Plans are afoot to construct the largest tidal lagoon off the coast of Wales. The 752 million-euro project ($986 million) project will see the construction of a 9.5 km-long, U-shaped, seawall running from the entrance to the River Tawe near Swansea Dock out to sea before curving back to re-join land adjacent to Swansea University. It will have a rated capacity of 240 MW and generate enough power for 121,000 homes. For additional information, see February 14, 2014, article - World's Largest Tidal Lagoon Advances.

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