Envirotek aims to lead the development of tidal in-stream energy projects in Southeast Asia, the company said following the deployment of a floating tidal energy platform featuring Schottel SIT 250.
The deployment of the floating tidal platform has led to the development of local expertise in the tidal energy sector, and it is hoped that this can be used to further develop the industry in the Southeast Asian region, a Singapore-based clean-technology investment company Envirotek said.
“This demonstration is about using appropriate technologies in suitable locations to address real energy needs of Southeast Asia. We are keen to develop projects that involve marine renewable energy – a resource that is yet to be tapped effectively in the region,” said Jefferson Cheng , Chairman and Founder of Envirotek.
“This project demonstrates the viability of such solutions and develops pathways for marine renewable energy to enter SEA,” he further added.
The initial focus will be put on the Philippines, where according to Envirotek, a significant opportunity exists to harness the power of the oceans to provide a reliable supply of energy as the country boasts more than 7,000 islands, many of which are isolated communities that still have limited access to electricity.
Floating integrated renewable energy platforms are envisioned for the usage of local stakeholders (e.g. island or coastal areas) helping them increase energy resilience, decrease fossil-fuel dependence, explore multiple applications, and showcase the viability of harnessing tidal in-stream energy and its potential to supply clean, renewable, and safe electricity to island as well as coastal communities, according to the company.
Michael Lochinvar Sim Abundo , Managing Director of OceanPixel, which was part of the team behind the SIT 250 deployment, noted that ocean renewable energy is currently not in the energy mix in Southeast Asia and added: “There is tremendous potential for harnessing ocean/marine renewable energy in the region especially for archipelagic countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. We are looking at marine renewable energy to be part of the energy mix — not just in off-grid areas but eventually to feed into micro-grids and the main grid.”
Gareth Davies from Aquatera said: “One of the key aspects we’re looking at here is how to learn to install technology in the SEA situation. We need to learn techniques and use equipment that is appropriate to Southeast Asia. In doing so, we can bring ideas from Europe and the tried and tested techniques but then adapt them to the Southeast Asian condition.”