BBC - Devon Features - pioneering tidal turbine off Devon coast is a success

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6 July 2009
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Offshore turbine powers to success

The first offshore turbine is close to the Devon coast

Energy pioneers say the world's first offshore tidal energy turbine is performing better than they expected.

The prototype was installed off the North Devon coast in 2003. Now an even bigger model is being planned.

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WEB LINKS

Marine Current Turbines

Centre for Sustainable Energy

Coastal Research

Seacore Ltd

Department of Trade and Industry

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FACTS

If the trial is successful commercial production of marine turbines could begin as early as 2006.

Research suggests they have the potential to be four times more efficient than wind turbines of a similar size.

There are many other potential sites around the UK where the tides are strong enough to make marine turbines a serious proposition.

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Plans are in hand to enlarge the world's first marine current turbine which was installed just off the coast of North Devon.

The turbine uses the power of the tide to generate electricity by pushing a huge propellor.

The £3m turbine has been built into the seabed about a kilometre and a half (one mile) offshore from Lynmouth.

The single 11 metre-long rotor blade is capable of producing 300 kilowatts of electricity and is a a test-bed for further tidal turbines.

The turbine has been working even better than expected and engineers say there is a huge amount of tidal power for the taking.

It is hoped to convert the system to twin rotors by the end of the year.

The 11 metre rotor blade.

Jeremy Thake, Chief Engineer of Marine Current Turbines Ltd, said: "This is actually not full scale, this is a baby of what we'd hope to do in the future.

"We're looking at developing turbines nearly twice as big with two rotors each capable of generating 1,000 kilowatts of power."

A marine current turbine looks like a smaller version of a modern windmill and the principle is exactly the same.

But whereas a windmill draws energy from the movement of air, the marine turbine uses currents in the water.

Its backers believe the concept can become a rival to wind power because ocean currents are more reliable than wind and are less obtrusive.

The structure is built on the seabed and projects just a few metres above the surface.

Standing proud off the North Devon coast.

There is no danger to fish because the blades rotate quite slowly - about 20 revolutions per minute.

"Britain has the best wave and tidal resources in Europe," explained Mr Thake.

"There is a huge amount of power there for the taking.

"Whilst it does stop every now and again, it is very predictable - you can predict what it will be doing in a month or a years time.

"We think this will cost about the same as offshore wind turbines - probably even cheaper."

Several experimental devices working on similar principles have been built before, but the turbine on trial in Devon is the first such permanent installation in the world to generate electricity.

Research suggests they have the potential to be four times more efficient than wind turbines of a similar size.

The project is financed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Commission's energy programme.

Revised: 2nd May 2004