Marine current turbines: pioneering the development of marine kinetic energy converters

Abstract: This paper gives the rationale and background to an already advanced research and development (R&D) programme aimed at developing technology for the commercial exploita-tion of kinetic energy from marine currents. This is followed by a brief overview of the charac-teristics of the tidal stream resource, the technical principles by which it may be exploited, and the key technical challenges that need to be overcome. The paper includes a description of the pioneering ‘Seaflow ’ Project involving the installation and testing, since May 2003, of a prototype 300 kW tidal turbine 3 km off Lynmouth. The next stage of Marine Current Turbines Ltd’s R&D programme is then described: this involves the development of a 1 MW twin axial-flow rotor system, called ‘Seagen ’ which is planned for instal-lation early in 2007. The installation and testing of ‘Seagen ’ will mark a landmark stage in the R&D programme because it will form the basis for the commercial technology to follow. A brief outline of future plans beyond ‘Seagen ’ is also given