Engineering news
A small East Yorkshire-based renewable energy firm is seeking a larger industrial partner such as a shipyard to help it commercialise a new tidal stream power generator.
Neptune Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL) has successfully completed a series of in-water tests on a full-scale demonstrator of its Proteus NP1000 tidal stream power device. Weighing more than 150 tonnes and 20m in length with a beam of 14m, the Proteus NP1000 consists of steel buoyancy hulls, a vertically mounted turbine with a 6m x 6m rotor, and computer-controlled flow vanes within a venturi duct.
When deployed, the floating pontoon design means that the Proteus is largely unobtrusive, compared to many other energy generation techniques, with more than 80% of its bulk always hidden from view under the water. Based on the dock test data, when optimised for tidal stream, Neptune’s engineers claim that the Proteus NP1000 will be able to generate at least 1,000MWh/year.
A key landmark in the recent testing process was the powering-up and generation of electricity as proof of the commercial potential of the device’s power curve. Tow testing was carried out in three phases during August, September and October in Hull’s Albert Dock. The third set of experiments provided the final, critical, ‘proof of concept’ hurdle and means that the device will now be prepared for commercial deployment in early 2011 at Sammy’s Point in the Humber.
Nigel Petrie, NREL chairman, said: “We are delighted to have come through the in-water testing phase for the Proteus demonstrator which paves the way for the device to be commissioned shortly and installed, with the first electricity delivered in 2011.
“We are now looking to identify a trade partner who is able to demonstrate that they have capability to work with us to manufacture and deliver future devices. Potential partners should possess strong, large-scale fabrication and assembly skills, using steel, composite and plastic materials, possibly also with experience in the marine sector.
“Following on from this, we are also seeking equity providers to work with in order to help fund a series of arrays of the tidal stream power generators which are planned for the Humber in 2011 and 2012.”
