development of tidal stream generators
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
Many tidal stream generators have been developed over the years to harness the power of tidal currents flowing around coastlines. These are also called tidal stream turbines (TST), tidal energy converters (TEC), or marine hydro-kinetic (MHK) generation. These turbines operate on a similar principle to wind turbines, but are designed to work in a fluid approximately 800 times more dense than air which is moving at a slower velocity. Note that tidal barrages or lagoons operate on a different principle, generating power by impounding the rising and falling tide.
Lots of different technology variants have been tested, and there has not been convergence on a predominant typology. Most have been horizontal-axis, like wind turbines, but with 2, 3, or more blades and either mounted on a seabed fixed foundation or on a floating platform. In addition, vertical-axis turbines and tidal kites are also being developed.
Historically, development has largely been focused around Europe, but devices have been built and tested in North America – including at the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE), Japan, and elsewhere. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) was set up in Orkney in 2003, and developed a tidal test site in the Fall of Warness, to the west of the island of Eday. The site opened in 2006, and EMEC was granted a license in 2016 to test up to 10 MW of tidal stream devices, and has since hosted the testing of many of these devices.{{Cite report |url=https://marine.gov.scot/sites/default/files/environmental_statement_1.pdf |title=EMEC Fall of Warness Tidal Test Site Section 36 Application Environmental Statement |last=The European Marine Energy Centre |date=December 2014}}
There have been various acquisitions of technology developers over the years. Many of the companies are no longer trading, or have ceased development of tidal-stream turbines. However, the first pre-commercial array demonstration projects have been operating since around 2016. Building on this, commercial arrays are expected to be operational by around 2027, at EMEC, Morlais and elsewhere.
Development timeline
Key historical milestones in the development of tidal-stream turbines are summarised below:
- The 300 kW Marine Current Turbines (MCT) SeaFlow turbine was installed in summer 2003 and tested off the coast of Lynmouth, Devon, England.{{Cite web |date=2008-08-04 |title=Technology Review: Tidal Power Comes to Market |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21142/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |archive-date=4 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804110058/https://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/21142/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}
- In 2004, the world's first tidal-stream turbine was connected to an electricity grid, the 300 kW Hammerfest Strøm HS300, located in the waters of Kvalsundet, Finnmark, Norway.{{Cite report |url=https://www.andritz.com/resource/blob/31444/cf15d27bc23fd59db125229506ec87c7/hy-hammerfest-data.pdf |title=Renewable energy from tidal currents |last=ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest |page=7 |access-date=2023-12-20}}
- The first tidal stream turbine test site was constructed in 2005 and opened in 2006, in the Fall of Wanress to the west of Eday, Orkney, part of the European Marine Energy Centre.
- The significantly more powerful, 1.2 MW MCT SeaGen turbine was installed in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, in May 2008 and grid connected in July.{{Cite web |date=24 July 2020 |title=SeaGen Turbine, Northern Ireland, UK |url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/strangford-lough/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Power Technology |language=en-US}}
- Also in May 2008, OpenHydro was the first tidal turbine connected to the National Grid in Great Britain (GB). The 250 kW device was tested in the Fall of Warness, Eday, Orkney.{{Cite news |title=OpenHydro turbine connected to UK grid |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/openhydro-turbine-connected-to-uk-grid-1.1215519 |access-date=2023-12-21 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}
- Verdant Power installed six 35 kW turbines in New York's East River, supplying power to two local businesses, claimed as the world's first tidal array.
- In August 2016, Nova Innovation installed a second 100 kW turbine in the Bluemull Sound, Shetland, connected to the GB Grid, also claimed as the world's first tidal array.{{cite web |title=World first for Shetlands in tidal power breakthrough |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/29/world-first-for-shetlands-in-tidal-power-breakthrough |access-date=8 September 2016 |work=The Guardian}}
- A dedicated site for testing tidal stream turbines was pre-consented at the European Marine Energy Centre in 2016, to simplify the process for developers testing devices.{{Cite web |last=EMEC |title=Consents |url=https://www.emec.org.uk/services/provision-of-wave-and-tidal-testing/consents/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=European Marine Energy Centre |language=en}}
- Phase 1 of the MeyGen project was commissioned in 2017, with four turbines totaling 6 MW installed, making it the largest tidal array to date.
Key companies and turbines
Many companies have focused on the development of technology to harness tidal stream energy. A non-exhaustive list of key companies is given below.
= Alstom =
French manufacturer Alstom acquired Tidal Generation Ltd in 2012, but this part of the business was sold to General Electric in 2015.
= Andritz Hydro Hammerfest =
Hammerfest Strøm AS was a Norwegian developer of tidal stream turbines, based in Hammerfest. In 2010, Austrian hydropower company Andritz AG bought one third of the shares.{{Cite web |date=2010-08-12 |title=Andritz acquires stake in tidal hydro firm Hammerfest Strom |url=https://www.hydroreview.com/world-regions/europe/andritz-acquires-stake/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Hydro Review |language=en-US}} In 2012, Andritz became the majority stakeholder and rebranded the company Andritz Hydro Hammerfest.{{Cite web |last=Visser |first=Anne |date=2012-04-23 |title=Norway: Hammerfest Strøm Changes Its Name to ANDRITZ HYDRO Hammerfest |url=https://www.offshorewind.biz/2012/04/23/norway-hammerfest-strom-changes-its-name-to-andritz-hydro-hammerfest/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Offshore Wind |language=en-US}}
In November 2003, Hammerfest Strøm installed their HS300 turbine in Kvalsundet, Norway.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Kvalsundet tidevannskraftverk |encyclopedia=Store norske leksikon |publisher=Norsk nettleksikon |location=Oslo |url=http://snl.no/Kvalsundet_tidevannskraftverk |last=Askheim |first=Svein |editor-last=Godal |editor-first=Anne Marit |editor-link=Anne Marit Godal |language=Norwegian |access-date=2023-12-20}} This 300 kW prototype was a 20 m diameter three-bladed horizontal-axis turbine. It sat on a monopile foundation in 50 m deep water. In 2003, the project was reported to have cost US$11m.{{Cite web |date=2003-09-22 |title=Norway tries underwater 'windmills' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3087374 |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=NBC News |language=en}} The HS300 turbine was connected to the grid in 2014, and operated for over 16,000 hours before it was decommissioned in 2011 and removed in 2012.{{Cite web |title=Kvalsund Tidal Turbine Prototype {{!}} Tethys |url=https://tethys.pnnl.gov/project-sites/kvalsund-tidal-turbine-prototype |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=tethys.pnnl.gov}}
A more powerful 1MW device was then tested at EMEC from 2012. The HS1000 was also a 20 m diameter three-bladed horizontal-axis turbine, installed at the Fall of Warness test site in December 2011.{{Cite news |date=2011-12-26 |title=Giant tidal device set for tests off Orkney |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-16327617 |access-date=2023-12-20}}{{Cite report |url=https://www.ren21.net/Portals/0/documents/Resources/GSR2012_low%20res_FINAL.pdf |title=Renewables 2012 Global Status Report |last=((REN21)) |date=June 2012 |page=46 |access-date=2023-12-20}}
Three Andritz Hydro Hammerfest AH1000 MK1 turbines were installed as part of phase 1 of the MeyGen project in 2016. These turbines are still three-bladed, but with an 18 m diameter rotor and each rated at 1.5 MW.{{Cite web |title=MeyGen |url=http://saerenewables.com/tidal-stream/meygen/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=SAE Renewables |language=en-GB}}
= BigMoon Power =
BigMoon Power was a Canadian company founded in 2015 developing a floating tidal stream generator.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-02 |title=BigMoon clinches Canadian tidal slot |url=https://renews.biz/62872/bigmoon-clinches-canadian-tidal-slot/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=ReNEWS.biz}} The concept is designed to be simple, with an optimised waterwheel (called a Kinetic Keel) mounted between two hulls of a barge, moored by foundations built from old train cars filled with concrete.{{Cite web |last=Geschwindt |first=Sion |date=2021-09-14 |title=BigMoon: Reinventing the wheel to harness the tides |url=https://h2oglobalnews.com/bigmoon-reinventing-the-wheel-to-harness-the-tides/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=H2O Global News |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Palmeter |first=Paul |date=8 March 2023 |title=Walton marina to assist BigMoon Power's tidal energy project in Minas Basin |work=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/walton-marina-to-assist-bigmoon-tidal-power-plan-1.6770975 |access-date=2024-01-01}} BigMoon plan to build and install 18 devices, each 0.5 MW, at in the Bay of Fundy at FORCE.{{Cite report |url=https://www.ocean-energy-systems.org/publications/oes-annual-reports/ |title=Annual Report: An Overview of Ocean Energy Activities in 2022 |last=IEA-OES |date=2023 |page=96}} As part of the contract to test at FORCE Berth D, BigMoon was expected to remove before the end of 2024 the OpenHydro turbine that was abandoned there in July 2018 when that company went into administration.{{Cite web |title=Nova Scotia selects company to remove Cape Sharp turbine, fill empty berth {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7311515/nova-scotia-cape-sharp-turbine/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Global News |language=en-US}} In May 2024, Big Moon Power rebranded as Occurrent Power, however in September 2024 it filed for insolvency, having failed to deploy the turbine.{{Cite news |last=Gorman |first=Michael |date=5 September 2024 |title='It is very unfortunate': Tidal power developer files for bankruptcy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tidal-power-energy-bay-of-fundy-minas-basis-occurrent-1.7313350 |access-date=2025-03-10 |work=CBC News}}
= Flumill =
Flumill AS is a Norwegian developer of an unconventional tidal stream turbine. It consists of two counter-rotating helical screws made from fiberglass, each attached to a gear-less permanent magnet generator.{{Cite web |last=Snieckus |first=Darius |date=2011-11-23 |title=In Depth: Turning a twin-corkscrew turbine into 'beautiful' reality |url=https://www.rechargenews.com/wave-tidal-hydro/in-depth-turning-a-twin-corkscrew-turbine-into-beautiful-reality/1-1-841450 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Recharge |place=Bristol |language=en}} The unit is mounted to the seabed and held up by a buoyant float/fin.{{Cite web |last=London Research International |date=August 2013 |title=Technology Feature: The Flumill |url=https://londonresearchinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2013.8_The-Flumill.pdf |website=GreenTechEurope.com Newsletter}} In 2011 Flumill was the first turbine to be tested at the EMEC Shapinsay Sound non-grid-connected test site, after tow tests in Tromøysund, Arendal, Norway.{{Cite web |title=Our Tidal Clients: Flumill |url=https://www.emec.org.uk/about-us/our-tidal-clients/flumill/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=European Marine Energy Centre |language=en}}{{Citation |title=Flumill |date=7 Nov 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PEiWgvDUSI |access-date=2024-01-20 |publisher=YouTube |language=en}} This device was nominally rated at 1.2 kW in the 1.5 m/s currents of Shapinsay Sound, although it could potentially generate 600 kW in faster flows.
A phase 2 Flumill tidal device is currently being developed, where the screws and generators are mounted from a catamaran barge.{{Cite web |title=Aquatera Ltd on LinkedIn: This month, Aquatera had yet another successful All-Energy Exhibition and… |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aquatera-limited_this-month-aquatera-had-yet-another-successful-activity-7066746984061116417-rsnE |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}
= General Electric =
In 2015, GE acquired the energy assets from Alstom which included the business originally developed by Tidal Generation Ltd.
In 2024, GE Vernova signed a MoU with Proteus Marine Renewables to supply electrical systems for their tidal turbines.{{Cite news |date=4 November 2024 |title=GE Vernova signs tidal turbine MoU |url=https://renews.biz/96823/ge-vernova-signs-tidal-turbine-mou/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |work=ReNEWS.biz}}
= HydroQuest =
{{Main|HydroQuest}}
HydroQuest is a French developer of vertical-axis turbines, generating electricity from river and tidal currents, based in Grenoble.{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.hydroquest.fr/en/about-us/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=HydroQuest |language=en-GB}} They have installed several small river turbines in France and French Guiana, powering the 200 inhabitants of the Camopi village.{{Cite journal |last1=Mallard |first1=Kathleen |last2=Garbuio |first2=Lauric |last3=Debusschere |first3=Vincent |date=2020-01-01 |title=Towards sustainable business model and sustainable design of a hydro generator system dedicated to isolated communities |url=https://hal.science/hal-03051966/file/S2212827120300986.pdf |journal=Procedia CIRP |series=27th CIRP Life Cycle Engineering Conference (LCE2020) |volume=90 |pages=251–255 |doi=10.1016/j.procir.2020.02.004 |issn=2212-8271}}{{Cite web |last=Yaneva |first=Mariyana |date=2015-10-12 |title=HydroQuest connects river current turbine to French grid |url=https://renewablesnow.com/news/hydroquest-connects-river-current-turbine-to-french-grid-496908/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Renewables Now}}
A 1 MW OceanQuest tidal turbine was tested at Paimpol–Bréhat between April 2019 and December 2021.{{Cite web |date=2021-12-22 |title=Leask Marine complete major offshore decommissioning project in France |url=https://www.leaskmarine.com/leask-marine-complete-major-offshore-decommissioning-project-in-france/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Leask Marine Ltd |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Tait |first=Carly |date=2021-10-05 |title=HydroQuest tidal turbine : End of tests on the EDF site in Paimpol Bréhat and new stages of development at the Raz Blanchard |url=https://interregtiger.com/hydroquest-tidal-turbine-end-of-tests-on-the-edf-site-in-paimpol-brehat-and-new-stages-of-development-at-the-raz-blanchard/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=TIGER: Tidal Stream Industry Energiser |language=en-GB}}
In collaboration with Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie and renewable energy company Qair, Hydroquest are developing the FloWatt project. This will comprise seven Hydroquest turbine units, each rated at 2.5 MW, to be installed at Raz Blanchard, Brittany by 2027.{{Cite conference |last=Gréau |first=Guillaume |date=October 2023 |title=FloWatt 17.5 MW tidal energy pilot project in France |conference=Ocean Energy Europe Annual Conference, The Hague, Netherlands}}{{Cite news |date=2024-10-29 |title=FloWatt, the French Tidal Stream Farm Project, Has Been Selected by the European Commission Within the Innovation Fund Framework |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241029640830/en/FloWatt-the-French-Tidal-Stream-Farm-Project-Has-Been-Selected-by-the-European-Commission-Within-the-Innovation-Fund-Framework |access-date=2024-11-17 |work=Business Wire}}
= LHD New Energy Corporation =
LHD New Energy Corporation have developed the Zhoushan tidal power station near Xiushan island, Daishan County, China.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2023-05-26 |title=Tidal energy plant in China exceeds 5 years of continuous operation |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/tidal-energy-plant-in-china-exceeds-5-years-of-continuous-operation/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} This platform above the sea is connected to land by a bridge. In 2016, the first two turbines were installed and connected to the grid, rated at 400 kW and 600 kW.{{Cite report |url=https://www.ocean-energy-systems.org/publications/oes-annual-reports/ |title=Annual Report Ocean Energy Systems 2016 |last=IEA-OES |date=2017 |page=73}} In December 2018, two further turbines were added, a 300 kW horizontal-axis and a 400 kW vertical-axis, taking the total installed capacity to 1.7 MW.{{Cite report |url=https://www.ocean-energy-systems.org/publications/oes-annual-reports/ |title=Annual Report – An overview of ocean energy activities in 2018 |last=IEA-OES |date=2019 |page=68}}
= Magallanes Renovables =
{{Main|Magallanes Renovables}}
Magallanes Renovables, S.L. is a Spanish developer of floating tidal energy devices, set up in 2009.{{Cite web |title=Magallanes Renovables: Unlocking energy from tidal power |url=https://www.magallanesrenovables.com/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Magallanes Renovables |language=en-US}} They have tested a grid-connected 1.5 MW ATIR device at EMEC since 2019,{{Cite web |title=Magallanes Renovables ATIR at EMEC {{!}} Tethys |url=https://tethys.pnnl.gov/project-sites/magallanes-renovables-atir-emec |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=tethys.pnnl.gov}} having previously tested a small scale device at the EMEC nursery test site in Shapinsay Sound, although this was not grid-connected.{{Cite web |last=Marthinsen |first=Stig |title=Magallanes reinstall ATIR tidal turbine at EMEC, Interreg VB North Sea Region Programme |url=https://northsearegion.eu/periscope/news/magallanes-reinstall-atir-tidal-turbine-at-emec/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=northsearegion.eu |language=}} Magallanes Thas been awarded Contracts for Difference (CfD) to supply subsidised electricity to the GB National Grid, at Morlais and at EMEC.{{Cite web |title=Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 4: results |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contracts-for-difference-cfd-allocation-round-4-results |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5: results |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contracts-for-difference-cfd-allocation-round-5-results |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}
= Marine Current Turbines =
{{See also|Marine Current Turbines|SeaGen}}
Marine Current Turbines (MCT) was a Bristol-based company that developed seabed mounted tidal-stream turbines. In June 2003, MCT installed the 300 kW Seaflow turbine in Lynmouth, Devon.{{Cite report |url=https://www.osti.gov/etdeweb/servlets/purl/20714897 |title=Development installation and testing of a large-scale tidal current turbine |last=Thake |first=Jeremy |date=October 2005 |access-date=2023-12-21}} The larger 1.2 MW SeaGen turbine was installed in Strangford Lough in May 2008, and connected tot the Irish electricity grid in July. It was decommissioned in stages between May 2016 and July 2019, having exported 11.6 GWh of electricity.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-03 |title=Atlantis Successfully Decommissions 1.2 MW SeaGen Tidal System in Industry First {{!}} SIMEC Atlantis Energy |url=https://simecatlantis.com/2019/07/26/meygen-operational-update-3-2/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903161227/https://simecatlantis.com/2019/07/26/meygen-operational-update-3-2/ |url-status=dead }}
= Minesto =
{{Main|Minesto}}
Minesto AB is a Swedish developer of tidal kite turbines, based in Gothenburg.{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=https://minesto.com/contact/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Minesto |language=en}} The company tested a 500 kW Deep Green DG500 turbine in the Holyhead Deep off the coast of Anglesey, North Wales in 2018 and 2019.{{Cite web |date=15 August 2019 |title=Minesto flies Wales tidal kite |url=https://renews.biz/54809/minesto-flies-wales-tidal-kite/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=ReNEWS.biz}} In 2022, they installed two 100 kW Dragon 4 turbines at Vestmannasund in the Faroe Islands,{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2022-09-07 |title=Minesto starts commissioning second 'Dragon 4' tidal power plant |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/minesto-starts-commissioning-second-dragon-4-tidal-power-plant/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} and are planning to install a 1.2 MW Dragon 12 turbine there in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2023-11-09 |title=Minesto's 1.2MW tidal energy device on its way to Faroe Islands |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/minestos-1-2mw-tidal-device-on-its-way-to-faroe-islands/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
= Nova Innovation =
{{Main|Nova Innovation}}
Nova Innovation Ltd is an Edinburgh-based developer of small bed-mounted tidal-stream turbines. They deployed their first 30 kW turbine in the Bluemull Sound, Shetland,{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Peter |date=2014-05-23 |title=World first with Yell tidal generator |url=https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/05/23/world-first-with-yell-tidal-generator |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The Shetland Times |language=en-GB}} and have operated an array of up-to 6 of their 100 kW turbines in the Bluemull Sound since 2016.{{Cite web |date=31 January 2023 |title=Shetland Tidal Array becomes world leader |url=https://renews.biz/83490/nova-innovation-adds-two-more-turbines-to-tidal-array/ |access-date=25 November 2023 |website=ReNEWS}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-28 |title=Nova looking to decommission older tidal turbines |url=https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2023/02/28/nova-looking-to-decommission-older-tidal-turbines/ |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=Shetland News |language=en-GB}}
= Ocean Renewable Power Company =
{{Main|Ocean Renewable Power Company}}
Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC, Inc.) is a developer of cross-flow turbines to harness river, tidal and ocean currents, based in Portland, Maine.
= OpenHydro =
{{See also|OpenHydro|Paimpol–Bréhat tidal farm}}
OpenHydro Group Ltd was an Irish developer of tidal stream turbines, acquired by Naval Energies (then DCNS) in 2013, but ceased trading in 2018. OpenHydro developed a novel open-centred horizontal-axis turbine, surrounded by a ducting shroud. Various iterations of the OpenHydro turbines were tested in Scotland, France and Canada.
= Orbital Marine Power =
{{Main|Orbital Marine Power}}
Orbital Marine Power Ltd is an Orkney-based developer of floating tidal stream turbines that have twin rotors either side of a long tubular hull. Their third-generation turbine, the 2 MW Orbital O2 has been deployed at the Fall of Warness since 2021.{{Cite web |title=Orbital Marine Power : EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre |url=https://www.emec.org.uk/about-us/our-tidal-clients/orbital-marine-power/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |language=en}} The company was founded in 2002 as Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd, but rebranded in 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-30 |title=Orbital Marine Power going with the ebb and flow |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/17608237.orbital-marine-power-going-ebb-flow/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=The Herald |language=en}}
= Proteus Marine Renewables =
In October 2022, Proteus Marine Renewables (PMR) was formed through a management buyout of the Advanced Tidal Engineering and Services division of SIMEC Atlantis Energy, now SAE Renewables. SAE remain a minority shareholder in Proteus, and Proteus will continue to support the MeyGen tidal farm.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2022-10-21 |title=SIMEC Atlantis management buyout creates Proteus Marine Renewables tidal outfit |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/simec-atlantis-management-buyout-creates-proteus-marine-renewables-tidal-outfit/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} The company is based at Bath & Bristol Science Park, Bristol, England.{{Cite web |title=Affordable renewable energy |url=https://proteusmr.com/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=proteusmr.com |language=en-US}}
Proteus is a majority shareholder in {{Lang|fr|Normandie Hydroliennes}}, which is planning to deploy a 12 MW pilot tidal farm at Raz Blanchard in 2025. The NH1 project will consist of four PMR AR3000 turbines, each rated at 3 MW.{{Cite web |last=Maksumic |first=Zerina |date=2024-10-04 |title=Proteus Marine Rewables' tidal energy system on track to slash costs, EIB confirms |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/proteus-marine-rewables-tidal-energy-system-on-track-to-slash-costs-eib-confirms/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
In August 2024, PMR started building an AR1100 turbine to be deployed in the Naru Strait to power the Gotō Islands in Japan. This is an upgrade of the AR500 turbine with added pitch and yaw mechanisms, and uprated to 1.1 MW.{{Cite web |last=Maksumic |first=Zerina |date=2024-08-01 |title=Proteus Marine Renewables starts assembling upgraded tidal turbine in Japan (Gallery) |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/proteus-marine-renewables-starts-assembling-upgraded-tidal-turbine-in-japan-gallery/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} The AR500 was previously tested in the Naru Strait from February 2021 to December 2023. The AR1100 was installed in February 2025, using local vessels.{{Cite news |date=13 February 2025 |title=Proteus installs 1.1MW tidal turbine in Japan |url=https://renews.biz/98770/proteus-installs-11mw-tidal-turbine-in-japan/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=ReNEWS.biz}}
In November 2024, Proteus signed a MoU with SKF to supply the rotating equipment and GE Vernova to supply electrical systems for their tidal turbines.
= Pulse Tidal =
Pulse Tidal Ltd was an English tidal stream developer, formed in 2007 after 10 years of development. They developed a fully-submerged oscillating hydrofoil device, designed to work in shallow water, with horizontal blades that moved up and down in the passing current. A 100 kW, prototype was installed in 2009 at Immingham Dock, in the Humber estuary, which could generate up to 150 kW for a nearby chemicals plant.{{Cite web |title=Sad news for Pulse Tidal {{!}} Reuters Events {{!}} Renewables |url=https://www.reutersevents.com/renewables/tidal-today/sad-news-pulse-tidal |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.reutersevents.com}}{{Cite web |title=News: Pulse Tidal sinks into liquidation |url=https://www.rothbiz.co.uk/2014/04/news-4061-pulse-tidal-sinks-into.html |access-date=2024-10-06}}
The company was awarded €8m in European funding to develop the first commercial prototype, expected to be rated at 1.2 MW, and deployed at Lynmouth, Devon, where Pulse Tidal had been awarded a seabed lease from the Crown Estate.{{Cite web |last= |title=Pulse Tidal secures lease agreement to deploy 1.2MW power system in UK |url=https://www.powerinfotoday.com/tidal-energy/pulse-tidal-secures-lease-agreement-to-deploy-12mw-power-system-in-uk/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Power Info Today |language=}} The company was also developing plans for the Kyle Rhea Narrows between the mainland of Scotland and Skye.{{Cite news |date=2010-05-26 |title=Tidal power device for Skye a 'world-first' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10153669 |access-date=2024-10-06 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
Pulse Tidal was liquidated in 2014.{{cite web |date=22 April 2014 |title=Sad news for Pulse Tidal |url=https://analysis.newenergyupdate.com/tidal-today/sad-news-pulse-tidal |access-date=2022-09-12 |publisher=Analysis.newenergyupdate.com |agency=Reuters}}
= Sabella =
File:Hydrolienne Sabella D10 (2).JPG
{{Main|Sabella (company)}}Sabella SAS was a French SME based in Quimper, Brittany that has been developing tidal turbines since 2008, however the company was placed into receivership in October 2023.{{Cite web |title=Who we are? |url=https://www.sabella.bzh/en/home/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Sabella |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2023-10-23 |title=Sabella goes into receivership |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/sabella-placed-in-receivership/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} The company had developed two main variants of their technology.
The D03 was a 30 kW horizontal-axis turbine, with a six-bladed rotor 3 m in diameter, hence the name.{{Cite web |title=D03 |url=https://www.sabella.bzh/en/our-projects/d03/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Sabella |language=en-GB}} It was tested in the Odet estuary in 2008, but not grid connected. The turbine weighed 7 tonnes, and sat on a gravity base in around 25 m deep water.
The larger 1 MW D10 turbine was then developed, and tested in the Fromveur Passage, Brittany from June 2015. After hackers interrupted the communications link with the turbine, it began supplying power to the grid in Ushant on 5 November 2015.{{Cite web |last=Poindexter |first=Gregory |date=2016-03-23 |title=Hackers rendered 1-MW Sabella D10 tidal turbine inoperable in France |url=https://www.hydroreview.com/business-finance/hackers-rendered-1-mw-sabella-d10-tidal-turbine-inoperable-in-france/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Hydro Review |language=en-US}} {{Cite web |date=12 April 2019 |title=Sabella tidal device undergoes maintenance |url=https://renews.biz/52642/sabella-tidal-device-undergoes-maintenance/ |website=ReNEWS.biz}} It was redeployed for a third test campaign in April 2022,{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2022-05-04 |title=Sabella reinstalls D10 tidal turbine for third test campaign offshore France |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/sabella-reinstalls-d10-tidal-turbine-for-third-test-campaign-offshore-france/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} In October 2024, Inyanga Marine Energy took over the D10 turbine operation, securing permission to operate it until August 2028.{{Cite web |last=Maksumic |first=Zerina |date=2024-10-16 |title=Inyanga Marine Energy takes charge of France's first grid-connected tidal turbine |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/inyanga-marine-energy-takes-charge-of-frances-first-grid-connected-tidal-turbine/ |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
{{Clear}}
= SIMEC Atlantis Energy =
{{See also|SAE Renewables|MeyGen}}
SIMEC Atlantis Energy Ltd (now just SAE) is a renewable energy company which is developing the MeyGen tidal array in the Pentland Firth between the Scottish mainland and Orkney. Since 2017, this has operated with 4× 1.5 MW tidal turbines, making it the largest tidal-stream array worldwide. The next phases could see a further 50 MW installed by 2028.{{Cite web |title=MeyGen |url=http://saerenewables.com/tidal-stream/meygen/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=SAE Renewables |language=en-GB}}
The company was founded as Atlantis Resources, and developed the 1.5 MW AR1500 turbine, a three-bladed horizontal-axis seabed mounded device, three of which are installed at MeyGen. They also built a smaller 500 kW AR500 turbine in Scotland, which was shipped to Japan and installed off Naru Island, part of the Gotō Islands. It reportedly generated 10 MWh in the first 10 days of operation in early 2021.{{Cite web |last=Frangoul |first=Anmar |date=2021-02-15 |title=A tidal turbine built in Scotland is now producing power in Japan |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/15/a-tidal-turbine-built-in-scotland-is-now-producing-power-in-japan.html |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=CNBC |language=en}}
= Sustainable Marine Energy =
Sustainable Marine Energy Ltd (SME) was a developer of floating tidal stream turbines, founded in 2012 but went into administration in August 2023.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2023-08-10 |title=Sustainable Marine Energy sinks into administration |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/sustainable-marine-energy-sinks-into-administration/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} Originally based in London, it moved to East Cowes, Isle of Wight in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Barrass |first=Christopher |date=2013-05-31 |title=Sustainable Marine Energy opens new HQ on the Isle of Wight |url=https://onthewight.com/sustainable-marine-energy/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight |language=en-GB}} The company then moved its operational base to Kirkwall in Orkney in 2016.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-03 |title=Sustainable Marine Energy raises £4.5m investment for tidal array in Orkney |url=https://www.newpower.info/2016/05/sustainable-marine-energy-raises-4-5m-investment-for-tidal-array-in-orkney/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=New Power |language=en-US}} By 2017, the head office had been relocated to La Belle Esperance, a barge moored on The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh.{{Cite web |date=2017-07-03 |title=Contact Sustainable Marine |url=http://sustainablemarine.com/contact |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703095315/http://sustainablemarine.com/contact |archive-date=2017-07-03 |access-date=2024-02-04 }}
Their first platform, PLAT-O, was a submerged mid-water-column device, with two 50 kW Schottel SIT turbines, mounted between three buoyant hulls. It was initially tested in The Solent, before being tested at EMEC in 2016.{{Cite web |date=9 June 2016 |title=SME wets Plato head |url=https://renews.biz/42313/sme-wets-plato-head/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=ReNEWS.biz}}
File:2022-07-27 PLAT-I in-stream tidal energy platform - Westport, NS CAN.jpg
The floating PLAT-I 4.63 was developed for community-scale deployments in inshore waters. It had four 6.3 m diameter turbines mounted on a floating boat-like structure. It was first tested at the Falls of Lora, western Scotland in November 2017,{{Cite web |title=Sustainable Marine Energy's Inshore Platform PLAT-I Powers Up |url=https://www.schottel.de/medien-events/presseinfos/press-detail/sustainable-marine-energys-inshore-platform-plat-i-powers-up |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=www.schottel.de |language=en}} before being shipped to Canada and tested at Grand Passage, Nova Scotia in 2018.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-02 |title=Sustainable Marine Floats Out 'Next-Gen' Tidal Energy Platform in Canada |url=https://www.oedigital.com/news/485009-sustainable-marine-floats-out-next-gen-tidal-energy-platform-in-canada |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Offshore Engineer Magazine |language=en}}
An upgraded PLAT-I 6.4, with six 4 m diameter rotors, totaling 420 kW, was built by A.F. Theriault & Son Ltd. in Meteghan, Nova Scotia in 2021. The turbine was tested at FORCE in the Grand Passage, delivering the first floating tidal power to the Canadian grid in April 2022.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2022-04-12 |title=Sustainable Marine delivers first 'grid-compliant' floating tidal power system in Canada |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/sustainable-marine-delivers-first-grid-compliant-floating-tidal-power-system-in-canada/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
SME developed the Pempa’q project at FORCE which was to comprise an array of the PLAT-I turbines, with up to 9 MW installed.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-30 |title=Sustainable Marine Energy reveals plans for 9-MW Pempa'q Tidal Energy Project |url=https://www.hydroreview.com/hydro-industry-news/oceantidalstream-power/sustainable-marine-energy-reveals-plans-for-9-mw-pempaq-tidal-energy-project/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Hydro Review |language=en-US}} The project received C$28.5million in funding from the Government of Canada, however it was cancelled in 2023, citing federal red tape.{{Cite web |last=Logan |first=Cloe |date=2023-05-05 |title=Tidal power company tanks Bay of Fundy project over federal red tape |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/05/05/news/tidal-power-company-tanks-bay-fundy-project-over-federal-red-tape |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Canada's National Observer |language=en}} SME placed the turbines into storage and removed all of the equipment from the seabed.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |title=FORCE 2023 Project Update |url=https://fundyforce.ca/document-collection/force-2023-project-update |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy}} However, one of the turbines broke its moorings and washed ashore in November 2023.{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Josh |date=Nov 17, 2023 |title=Tidal power turbine owned by bankrupt company washes ashore on Brier Island |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/tidal-power-turbine-washes-ashore-brier-island-1.7031737 |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=CBC News}}
In October 2022, the company split out its anchoring solutions as Swift Anchors, with the aim to focus on different technologies including Floating offshore wind.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-19 |title=Sustainable Marine sells Swift Anchors to SCHOTTEL |url=https://www.offshore-mag.com/business-briefs/company-news/article/14284424/sustainable-marine-sells-swift-anchors-to-schottel |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Offshore}}
= Tidal Energy Ltd =
Tidal Energy Ltd (TEL) was a tidal stream developer based in Cardiff, Wales. They developed a three-bladed horizontal-axis turbine mounted on a 16 m long triangular gravity base. To increase reliability, a simple fixed-pitch blade design was used.{{Cite conference |last1=Freeman |first1=C |last2=Amaral Teixeira |first2=J |last3=Trarieux |first3=F |last4=Ayre |first4=R |date=2009 |title=Design of a gravity stabilised fixed pitch tidal turbine of 400 kW |url=https://tethys-engineering.pnnl.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Freemanetal2009.pdf |conference=Proceedings of the 8th European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, Uppsala, Sweden. |via=Tethys}}
A 400 kW prototype was installed in Ramsey Sound, Wales in December 2015 after sitting on the quayside at Pembroke Dock for over a year.{{Cite web |last=Kelsey |first=Chris |date=2015-12-14 |title=Tidal energy device DeltaStream installed in the sea |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/radical-new-tidal-energy-device-10594709 |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2015-12-13 |title=Giant tidal turbine placed on seabed off Pembrokeshire |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-35087510 |access-date=2024-02-03 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} In March 2016, the turbine developed "an intermittent fault with an active sonar" followed by a mechanical defect which prevented it generating.{{Cite web |last=Poindexter |first=Gregory |date=2016-12-13 |title=Welsh government says buyer being sought for 400-kW DeltaStream tidal energy device |url=https://www.hydroreview.com/business-finance/business/welsh-government-says-buyer-being-sought-for-400-kw-deltastream-tidal-energy-device/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Hydro Review |language=en-US}} After the company went into administration in October,{{Cite news |date=2016-10-24 |title=Administrators seek buyer for Tidal Energy Ltd |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-37752750 |access-date=2024-02-03 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} the Welsh Government sought a buyer for the turbine in December 2016.
There were plans to remove the turbine as part of the Anglo-French Tidal Stream Industry Energiser Project (TIGER) project, and examine the reasons for the failures. The Ramsey Sound site was also to be redeveloped by Cambrian Offshore South West, with a new turbine of up to 1 MW installed.{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=David |date=2020-03-23 |title=In depth with the TIGER tidal stream project |url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/in-depth/in-depth-with-the-tiger-tidal-stream-project/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=The Engineer |language=en}}
The triangular base frame was designed to support three turbines, although only a single turbine was tested. Eco2 in conjunction with TEL had planned to install an array of nine devices St David's Head, to the north of Ramsey Sound.
= Tidal Generation Ltd =
Tidal Generation Ltd (TGL) was a Bristol-based developer of tidal stream turbines, founded in 2005.{{Cite web |title=Alstom (formerly TGL) |url=https://www.emec.org.uk/about-us/our-tidal-clients/alstom/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=European Marine Energy Centre |language=en}} It was acquired by Rolls-Royce, before being sold to Alstom in 2012.{{Cite web |title=Alstom to acquire Tidal Generation Ltd - NS Energy |url=https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/newsalstom-to-acquire-tidal-generation-ltd/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |language=en-US}} Then in 2015, General Electric acquired Alstom's energy division, including TGL.{{Cite web |date=2015-11-03 |title=Alstom has finally sold its energy business to GE for $13.6b |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/alstom-sells-energy-business-to-ge-for-13-6b-a6718056.html |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=The Independent |language=en}} In 2021 French tidal developer Sabella acquired General Electric's tidal energy assets, including those developed by TGL, Rolls-Royce and Alstom.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2021 |title=Sabella acquires GE's tidal assets |url=https://renews.biz/66158/sabella-acquires-ges-tidal-assets/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |work=ReNEWS.biz}}
TGL tested a 500 kW turbine at EMEC from September 2010 as part of the Deep-Gen III project. This was the first turbine installed at EMEC that was eligible for Renewables Obligation Certificates.{{Cite web |last=Shead |first=Sam |date=2011-10-27 |title=Prototype tidal turbine delivers 100MWh to Scottish grid |url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/prototype-tidal-turbine-delivers-100mwh-to-scottish-grid/ |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=The Engineer |language=en}} By September 2012, it had generated over 250 MWh of electricity which was supplied to the local grid.
An upgraded 1 MW Deep-Gen IV turbine was developed while part of Rolls-Royce within the Reliable Data Acquisition Platform for Tidal (ReDAPT) project, partly funded by the Energy Technologies Institute. The turbine rotor was 18 m in diameter, mounted on a 22 m long nacelle, with a mass of under 150 t.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-03 |title=Alstom produced electricity with its 1MW tidal turbine as a… |url=https://www.eti.co.uk/news/alstom-produced-electricity-with-its-1mw-tidal-turbine-as-a-part-of-eti-redapt-project |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=The ETI |language=en}} It had cut-in, rated, and maximum flow speeds of 1 m/s, 2.7 m/s, and 5 m/s respectively.
In 2014, a 1.4 MW turbine was proposed, again with an 18 m diameter rotor. It was marketed as the Oceade™ 18 – 1.4 MW, but was never built.{{Cite web |last=Visser |first=Anne |date=2014-10-01 |title=Alstom Presents 1.4MW Tidal Turbine |url=https://www.offshorewind.biz/2014/10/01/alstom-presents-1-4mw-tidal-turbine/ |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=Offshore Wind |language=en-US}}
The TGL turbines were a three-bladed horizontal-axis design which could yaw to face the incoming tide, driven by a thruster on the rear of the nacelle. They nacelle of the turbine was buoyant, which allowed it to towed to site then installed onto the subsea tripod foundation using a winch system operated from small workboats.{{Cite report |url=https://ukerc.rl.ac.uk/ETI/PUBLICATIONS/MRN_MA1001_3.pdf |title=ReDAPT MC7.3 Public Domain Report: Final |last=Harrison |first=J |date=2015-08-12 |doi=10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000316 |access-date=2024-02-10}}
= Tocardo =
Tocardo BV is a Dutch tidal stream turbine developer, jointly owned by QED Naval and Hydrowing as of January 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-06 |title=QED Naval and HydroWing JV Acquire Tocardo |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/qed-naval-and-hydrowing-jv-acquire-tocardo/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}} The company began developing their technology in 1999. The Tocardo turbines are two-bladed horizontal-axis with direct-drive generators.
A prototype T1 turbine was tested in the sluice of the Afsluitdijk (Closure Dyke) in the Netherlands in 2008. This was 2.8 m in diameter and rated at 45 kW.{{Cite report |url=https://www.ocean-energy-systems.org/publications/oes-annual-reports/document/oes-annual-report-2008/ |title=2008 Annual Report |date=February 2009 |publisher=International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement on Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) |page=98}} In early 2015, a further three Tocardo T1 turbines were installed, each rated at 100 kW.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-15 |title=Tidal power plants are put to the test in the Netherlands {{!}} Engineer Live |url=https://www.engineerlive.com/node/18486 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=www.engineerlive.com}}
In 2015, five Tocardo T2 turbines were installed on the Oosterscheldekering (Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier) also in the Netherlands. These started generating electricity to the Dutch grid in 2016.{{Cite report |url=https://www.ocean-energy-systems.org/publications/oes-annual-reports/document/oes-annual-report-2016/ |title=2016 Annual Report |date=2016-04-24 |publisher=The Executive Committee of Ocean Energy Systems |page=114}} They were mounted on a frame supported by the road bridge which could rotate to lift all of the turbines out the water simultaneously. Each turbine was 5.26 m in diameter (87 m2 swept area) and rated at 250 kW for a total power of 1.25 MW.{{Cite journal |last1=de Fockert |first1=Anton |last2=Bijlsma |first2=Arnout C. |last3=O'Mahoney |first3=Tom S. D. |last4=Verbruggen |first4=Wilbert |last5=Scheijgrond |first5=Peter C. |last6=Wang |first6=Zheng B. |date=2023-09-01 |title=Assessment of the impact of tidal power extraction from the Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier through the evaluation of a pilot plant |journal=Renewable Energy |volume=213 |pages=109–120 |doi=10.1016/j.renene.2023.06.001 |issn=0960-1481|doi-access=free }} The project was decommissioned after eight years of operation in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2023-10-06 |title=Tocardo concludes 8-year demonstration of Eastern Scheldt tidal energy array |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/tocardo-concludes-8-year-demonstration-of-eastern-scheldt-tidal-energy-array/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
In the BlueTec project a floating platform was moored near the Dutch island of Texel, with a Tocardo turbine mounted beneath it. It was initially installed in summer 2015 with a 100 kW T1 turbine, then reinstalled in early 2016 with a T2 turbine, and provided power to the local electricity grid.{{Cite journal |last1=Nichols |first1=Carly |last2=Nauw |first2=Janine |last3=Posoni |first3=Leandro |last4=Smit |first4=Marck |last5=Buatois |first5=Aymeric |last6=de Haas |first6=Pieter |date=25 August 2016 |title=BlueTEC Texel A Floating Tidal Energy Platform Prototype |url=https://www.hydro-international.com/content/article/bluetec-texel |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Hydro International |language=en}} The turbine was launched from Den Helder, and there were plans to also test a 50 kW Schottle turbine on the platform.{{Cite web |last=Energy |first=Marine |date=2015-04-09 |title=BlueTec platform inaugurated at Port of Den Helder |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/bluetec-platform-inaugurated-at-port-of-den-helder/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
Three Tocardo T1 turbines were integrated onto the 240 kW QED Naval Subhub community demonstrator platform in late 2021, with a plan to test the turbine in The Solent near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, UK.{{Cite web |last=Garanovic |first=Amir |date=2021-12-06 |title=Tocardo's tidal energy turbines check in to Subhub plaform |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/tocardos-tidal-energy-turbines-check-in-to-subhub-plaform/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
The next generation of Tocardo T3 turbines are planned to be used on the tidal projects by Hydrowing and Môr Energy at Morlais, Wales.{{Cite web |last=Jay |date=2022-02-07 |title=HydroWing To demonstrate Next generation Tocardo Turbines at Morlais Tidal Demo-Zone |url=https://www.marineenergywales.co.uk/industry-news/hydrowing-to-demonstrate-next-generation-tocardo-turbines-at-morlais-tidal-demo-zone/ |access-date=2023-11-26 |website=Marine Energy Wales |language=en-US}}
= Verdant Power =
{{Main|Verdant Power}}
Verdant Power, Inc is a developer of tidal stream turbines, based in New York, USA. They have tested turbines in the East River since 2006. An array of six 35 kW turbines supplied power to two local businesses from May 2007 to October 2008.{{Cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=2012-09-11 |title=In Quest for River's Power, an Underwater Test Spin |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/nyregion/in-quest-for-east-rivers-power-a-search-for-stouter-arms.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2020-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912120623/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/12/nyregion/in-quest-for-east-rivers-power-a-search-for-stouter-arms.html |archive-date=2012-09-12 |issn=0362-4331}} An upgraded platform with three turbines was installed in October 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-28 |title=3 Tidal Turbines Pop Into New York City's East River |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/10/28/3-tidal-turbines%E2%80%A9-pop-into-new-york-citys-east-river/ |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=CleanTechnica |language=en-US}}
= Voith Hydro =
File:Voith HyTide 1MW at Hatston Pier.jpg
Voith Hydro Ocean Current Technologies GmbH was a joint venture between Voith Hydro and RWE Innogy that developed tidal stream turbines, however Innogy sold their stake in November 2013.{{Cite web |date=2010-06-14 |title=Voith to install tidal turbine in Scotland |url=https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/voith-to-install-tidal-turbine-in-scotland/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=The Engineer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Carruthers |first=Quentin |date=2013-12-02 |title=Innogy exits Voith Hydro Ocean Current Technologies |url=https://globalventuring.com/corporate/innogy-exits-voith-hydro-ocean-current-technologies/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Global Venturing}}
The 110 kW HyTide 110–5.3 turbine was tested in southern South Korea, near Jindo island in 2010, a 1/3rd scale prototype. This had a 5.33 m diameter rotor, 22 m2 swept area. The turbine was designed to be simple, with a direct-drive generator (without gearbox) and no yaw or blade pitch adjustment. It also had no dynamic seals, thus the generator was cooled by seawater. The turbine was prototype certified by Germanischer Lloyd.{{Cite conference |last1=Arlitt |first1=Raphael |last2=Argyriadis |first2=K |date=2010-10-06 |title=Development and Certification of the Voith Hydro HyTide® 110 Tidal turbine |url=https://www.ocean-energy-systems.org/documents/17094-icoe2010-r.arlitt.pdf/ |conference=3rd International Conference on Ocean Energy, 6 October, Bilbao}}
A full-scale 1 MW horizontal-axis turbine was then tested at EMEC between 2013 and 2015.{{Cite web |title=Tidal clients / Voith Hydro |url=https://www.emec.org.uk/about-us/our-tidal-clients/voith-hydro/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=EMEC: European Marine Energy Centre |language=}} The HyTide 1000 had a 13 m diameter rotor (133 m2 swept area), and weighed around 200 tonnes. It was installed by SLA Offshore in September 2013, from the DP II vessel MV Lone.{{Cite web |date=2015-03-25 |title=VIDEO: Tidal turbine deployment process |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/video-tidal-turbine-deployment-process/ |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Offshore Energy |language=}}
Voith also acquired the 250 kW Islay LIMPET wave power station in 2005.{{Cite news |date=2005-05-24 |title=Buyout saves wave power company |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4575583.stm |access-date=2024-01-06 |language=en-GB}}
= Zhejiang University =
Zhejiang University has installed three tidal stream turbines to the north of Zhairuoshan Island ({{coord|29|57|27.03|N|122|4|57.31|E|}}), in the Zhoushan archipelago.{{Cite web |date=2015-04-30 |title=Visit to Floating Tidal Turbine in Zhoushan, China |url=https://www.itpenergised.com/visit-to-floating-tidal-turbine-in-zhoushan-china/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=ITPEnergised |language=en-GB}} A 60 kW turbine was installed in 2014, a 120 kW turbine deployed in 2015, and a 600 kW turbine in 2018.
List of grid-connected tidal stream generators
{{See also|List of tidal power stations}}
Over the years, many different tidal stream turbines have been deployed and tested at sea, and have delivered power to the local electricity grid. A non-exhaustive list is given in the table below, along with other notable devices. As most of these were development and test versions, they were removed for periods of time for maintenance or upgrades. {{Clear}}
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Manufacturer & Turbine !Turbine Power (MW) !Country !Location !Coordinates !{{Tooltip|Comm|Year (and month) commissioned}} !{{Tooltip|Decom|Year (and month) decommissioned}} !{{Tooltip|Ref|References}} |
| MCT, SeaFlow
[not grid connected] |0.3 |{{Flag|UK}}, {{Flagu|England}} |Lynmouth, Devon |{{coord|51|15|22|N|3|47|14|W |
|2003–06
|2006-01
|-
|Hammerfest Strøm, HS300
|0.3
|{{flag|Norway}}
|{{coord|70|30|40.32|N|23|56|38.4|E|}}
|2004-01
|2011-01
|-
|OpenHydro
|0.25
|{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|EMEC, Fall of Warness
|{{coord|59|9|27|N|2|49|32.74|W|}}
|2006
|yes
|-
|Verdant Power ×6
|0.035
|{{Flag|USA}},
{{Flagu|New York}}
|{{coord|40|45|24.66|N|73|57|4.36|W|}}
|2007-05
|2008–10
|-
|Tocardo, T1 prototype
|0.045
|{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|Afsluitdijk sluice
|{{coord|52.935|5.044|format=dms}}
|2008
|
|-
|MCT, SeaGen
|1.2
|{{flag|UK}}, {{flagu|Northern Ireland}}
|{{Coord|54|22|7.2|N|5|32|45.8|W}}
|2008–12
|2018-08
|-
|Orbital, SR250
|0.25
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|EMEC
|{{coord|59|8|39.48|N|2|48|55.68|W|}}
|2011-01
|2013-08
|
|-
|Hammerfest Strøm, HS1000
|1
|EMEC
|
|2012-02
|2015-01
|-
|Sabella D10
|1
|{{Flag|France}}
|Fromveur Passage, Brittany
|{{coord|48|26|54|N|5|1|48|W|}}
|2015-04
|Operational
|
|-
|Nova Innovation, Nova 30
|0.03
|{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|Bluemull Sound, Shetland
|{{Coord|60|41|59.6|N|0|58|58.1|W}}
|2014-04
|2016
|-
|Tocardo, T1 ×3
|0.045
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|Netherlands}}
|Afsluitdijk sluice
|{{coord|52.936|5.045|format=dms}}
|2015-02
|
|-
|Tocardo, T1 then T2
|0.1
|Texel, Wadden Sea
|{{coord|53.00|4.80|format=dms}}
|2015
|
|-
|OpenHydro ×2
[never grid connected]
|0.5
|{{Flag|France}}
|Paimpol–Bréhat, Brittany
|{{Coord|48|50|N|3|01|W}}
|2016
|2017
|{{Cite journal |last1=Allsop |first1=Steven |last2=Peyrard |first2=Christophe |last3=Thies |first3=Philipp R. |last4=Boulougouris |first4=Evangelos |last5=Harrison |first5=Gareth P. |date=2017-09-01 |title=Hydrodynamic analysis of a ducted, open centre tidal stream turbine using blade element momentum theory |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0029801817303360 |journal=Ocean Engineering |volume=141 |pages=531–542 |doi=10.1016/j.oceaneng.2017.06.040 |issn=0029-8018|hdl=10871/28435 |hdl-access=free }}{{Cite web |title=Paimpol-Brehat Tidal Farm |url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/paimpol-brehat-tidal-farm/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Power Technology |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Paimpol-Brehat Tidal Demonstration Project {{!}} Tethys |url=https://tethys.pnnl.gov/project-sites/paimpol-brehat-tidal-demonstration-project |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=tethys.pnnl.gov}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |Zhoushan tidal power station
|0.4
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|China}}
| rowspan="2" |Zhoushan, Zhejiang
| rowspan="2" |{{coord|30|8|15.48|N|122|10|1.25|E|}}
| rowspan="2" |2016
| rowspan="2" |Operational
|-
|0.6
|-
|Nova Innovation, M100
|0.1
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|Bluemull Sound, Shetland
|{{Coord|60|41|59.6|N|0|58|58.1|W}}
|2016-03
|2023-06
|-
|Nova Innovation, M100
|0.1
|Bluemull Sound, Shetland
|{{Coord|60|41|59.6|N|0|58|58.1|W}}
|2016-07
|2023-06
|-
|Orbital, SR2000
|2
|EMEC
|{{coord|59|8|39.48|N|2|48|55.68|W|}}
|2016-10
|2018-08
|-
|OpenHydro
|2
|{{Flag|Canada}}
|Grand Passage, Bay of Fundy
|
|2016-11
|2017-06
|-
|Andritz Hydro Hammerfest, HS1000 Mk1 ×3
|1.5
| rowspan="3" |{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|Meygen
|{{Coord|58|39|30|N|3|7|30|W}}
|2016-12
|Operational
|-
|SIMEC Atlantis, AR1500
|1.5
|Meygen
|{{Coord|58|39|30|N|3|7|30|W}}
|2017-02
|Operational
|-
|Nova Innovation, M100
|0.1
|Bluemull Sound, Shetland
|{{Coord|60|41|59.6|N|0|58|58.1|W}}
|2017-07
|2023-06
|
|-
|OpenHydro
|2
|{{Flag|Canada}}
|Grand Passage, Bay of Fundy
|
|2018-07
|2018-09
|-
| rowspan="2" |Zhoushan tidal power station
|0.3
| rowspan="2" |{{Flag|China}}
| rowspan="2" |Zhoushan, Zhejiang
| rowspan="2" |{{coord|30|8|15.48|N|122|10|1.25|E|}}
| rowspan="2" |2018-12
| rowspan="2" |Operational
|-
|0.4
|-
|Magallanes Renovables, ATIR
|1.5
|{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|EMEC
|{{coord|59|8|29.08|N|2|49|6.5|W|}}
|2019-02
|Operational
{{NoteTag|Off-site from 2020 to 2001 to 2021–04|name=MagallanesOffsite}}
|{{Cite journal |last1=Díaz-Dorado |first1=Eloy |last2=Carrillo |first2=Camilo |last3=Cidras |first3=Jose |last4=Román |first4=David |last5=Grande |first5=Javier |date=2021-01-21 |title=Performance evaluation and modelling of the Atir marine current turbine |journal=IET Renewable Power Generation |language=en |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=821–838 |doi=10.1049/rpg2.12071 |issn=1752-1416 |doi-access=free}}{{Cite web |date=23 April 2021 |title=Magallanes tidal unit reinstalled at EMEC |url=https://renews.biz/68108/magallanes-tidal-unit-reinstalled-at-emec/ |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=ReNEWS.biz}}
|-
|HydroQuest, OceanQuest
|1.0
|{{Flag|France}}
|Paimpol–Bréhat, Brittany
|{{Coord|48|50|N|3|01|W}}
|2019-04
|2020-12
|{{Cite web |last=Ajdin |first=Adis |date=2020-05-05 |title=HydroQuest marks OceanQuest milestone |url=https://www.offshore-energy.biz/hydroquest-marks-oceanquest-milestone/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Offshore Energy |language=en-US}}
|-
|Verdant Power, Gen5 ×3
|0.07
|{{Flag|USA}},
{{Flagu|New York}}
|{{coord|40|45|24.66|N|73|57|4.36|W|}}
|2020-10
|Operational
|-
|Nova Innovation, M100-D
|0.1
|{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|Bluemull Sound, Shetland
|{{Coord|60|41|59.6|N|0|58|58.1|W}}
|2020-10
|Operational
|-
|SIMEC Atlantis, AR500
|0.5
|{{Flag|Japan}}
|{{Coord|32|50|N|128|54|E}}
|2021-02
|2023-12 {{NoteTag|Turbine was upgraded and redeployed in February 2025 as the AR1100|name=Goto}}
|{{Cite web |date=2024-01-03 |title=Tidal Energy Turbine Comes Ashore in Japan - Industrial News |url=https://industrialnews.co.uk/tidal-energy-turbine-comes-ashore-in-japan/,%20https://industrialnews.co.uk/tidal-energy-turbine-comes-ashore-in-japan/,%20https://www.oedigital.com/news/510528-tidal-energy-turbine-comes-ashore-in-japan |access-date=2024-01-14 |language=en-GB}}
|-
|Orbital, O2
|2
|{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|EMEC
|{{coord|59|8|39.48|N|2|48|55.68|W|}}
|2021-10
|Operational
|-
|Sustainable Marine Energy, PLAT-I 6.4
|0.42
|{{Flag|Canada}}
|Grand Passage, Bay of Fundy
|{{coord|45|20|36|N|64|23|34|W|name=Pempa’q In-Stream Tidal Energy Project}}
|2022-04
|2023-05
|-
|Nova Innovation, M100-D ×2
|0.1
|{{flag|UK}}
{{Flagu|Scotland}}
|Bluemull Sound, Shetland
|{{Coord|60|41|59.6|N|0|58|58.1|W}}
|2023-01
|Operational
|-
|Proteus Marine Renewables, AR1100
|1.1
|{{Flag|Japan}}
|{{Coord|32|50|N|128|54|E}}
|2025-02
|Operational
|}
Notes
{{NoteFoot}}