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 30 August 2008 02:07 BST

Tidal stream generator tested in Humber estuary

Monday, 07 Apr 2008 11:49
The tidal stream generator will capture energy from flowing water

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Planning permission has been granted by the energy secretary for a tidal stream generator to be tested in the Humber estuary.

When in the water the prototype model is estimated to generate up to 0.15MW and it will be one of the first tidal power machines to supply the national grid.

The generator will be positioned off the south bank of the Humber at Upper Burcom near Stallingborough.

It will work by extracting energy from underwater currents in a similar way to wind turbines.

Energy from tidal flows will power a pair of straight horizontal hydrofoils, 11m in length, which will move up and down like a dolphin's tail.

If it is successful then it will be used to develop larger 1MW units which could be used in arrays generating up to 100MW each.

This is enough to power the equivalent of 70,000 homes.

The project, developed by Pulse Tidal Ltd, has been given backing of £878,000 from the government.

"Our continued support for these emerging technologies is essential if the UK is to cement its position as a world leader in marine technologies," said energy secretary John Hutton.

"I have made clear our commitments to renewable energy and to marine technologies. We will be doubling the support available for those technologies under the Renewables Obligation.

"This kind of tidal project, if proven, will go some way to helping the UK meet its ambitious targets for clean, green energy."
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