Seagen 1MW Tidal Generator |
Image © Marine Current Turbines TM Ltd |
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Following the replacement of two rotary blades, SeaGen can now generate 1.2MW of power and is now moving to full operating model before commissioning. Seagen, developed by Bristol-based firm, Marine Current Turbines, is now generating the highest power so far produced by a tidal stream system anywhere in the world. It exceeds the previous highest output of 300kW produced in 2004 by Marine Current Turbines' earlier SeaFlow system, off the north Devon coast.
Martin Wright, managing director of Marine Current Turbines said: "Generating at full power is an important milestone for the company, and in particular our in-house engineering team. We are very pleased with SeaGen's performance during commissioning. It demonstrates, for the first time, the commercial potential of tidal energy as a viable alternative source of renewable energy. SeaGen is now running exactly as we said it would, but testing will continue to be carried out, not only to check SeaGen's performance over extended periods of operation but also to evaluate how components are standing up to the harsh conditions and to determine how the design might be improved.
The milestone follows four month hold up caused by a computer error in July that damaged two of the device's rotary blades. Marine Current Turbines announced last month that the blades had been replaced, and predicted that Seagen could be fully operational by January. Deployed in May 2008, SeaGen has the capacity to generate power to meet the average electricity needs of around 1000 homes.
During 2004-2007 the design, manufacture, installation and testing is planned of the first "full size" twin rotor system to be rated at 1MW. This will be grid-connected and will function with the flow in both directions - it will in fact be the prototype and test-bed for the commercial technology. This phase is expected to cost approximately 8.5 million pounds including grid connection and is financially supported by the operating partners and the UK DTI who have awarded a grant of 4.27 million pounds.
There are suitable tidal conditions for a similar development (perhaps using a Gentec Venturi system) around the Mull of Galloway and possibly at Portpatrick.
This exciting project is being undertaken by Marine Current Turbines Ltd, a company formed to develop technology for exploiting flowing water in general and tidal streams in particular. The goal is both to arrive at cost-effective and reliable power systems and to develop these commercially on a large scale.