Britain gets first taste of big tidal power
LONDON, ENGLAND - The world's first commercial-scale tidal power turbine has supplied the British grid with its first surge of tidal electricity, Marine Current Turbines (MCT) said.
The tidal current turbine, known as SeaGen, briefly generated 150 kilowatts of power off the coast of Northern Ireland as part of testing ahead of full commercial operations in a few weeks, the company behind the project said.
SeaGen works like an underwater wind turbine, with the rotors driven by the power of the tidal currents rather than wind.
Strangford Lough, where the turbine has been rooted, has among the strongest tidal currents in UK and Irish waters.
"This is an important milestone for the company and indeed the development of the marine renewable energy sector as a whole," MCT's Managing Director Martin Wright.
Once fully operational, SeaGen will be able to generate up to 1.2 megawatts, which is enough carbon-free electricity to supply about 1,000 homes.
Tides are created by the moon and sun's gravitational pulls on the oceans, combined with the centrifugal force of the earth's rotation.
Lying in the North Atlantic, the British Isles have some of the strongest tidal currents in the world, together with some of the strongest and most reliable winds to drive offshore wind turbines.
The British government is hoping to exploit these natural advantages to help it reach tough European Union renewable energy targets but planning and grid connection problems have frustrated the rapid growth of wind power so far.
MCT has plans for a 10.5 MW project off the coast of Anglesey, north Wales, which it expects to commission by 2012.
Related News
BC residents split on going nuclear for electricity generation: survey
VANCOUVER - There is a long-term need to produce more electricity to meet population and economic growth needs and, in particular, create new clean energy sources.
Increasingly, in the worldwide discourse on climate change, nuclear power plants are being touted as a zero-emission clean energy source and a key solution towards meeting reduced emissions goals. New technological advancements could make nuclear power far safer than existing plant designs.
When queried on whether British Columbia should support nuclear power for electricity generation, respondents in a new province-wide survey by Research Co. were split, with 43% in favour and 40% against.
Levels of support reached…
