Work has started on the design of Instream’s floating tidal stream energy device.
The fullscale demonstrator which features multiple vertical axis turbines mounted on a single floating platform will be deployed and tested in early 2019, the company informed.
The £1,48 million Instream Tidal Energy Research (InTER) project is co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK and brings together a consortium of industry experts: ITPEnergised, Instream Energy Systems, Tension Technology International, Leask Marine, Plymouth University and A&P Falmouth.
The project led by ITPEnergised utilizes vertical axis hydrokinetic turbine technology created by Canadian technology developer Instream Energy Systems and technology defence specialists BAE Systems.
The project is part of Instream’s diversification from inland rivers and waterways into the marine environment.
“Instream’s floating design aims to reduce the installation costs of tidal stream devices. Their vertical axis turbine design enables the technology to access shallow water resources not available to other technologies, opening up new markets. We are excited to be continuing our long-standing relationship with Instream Energy, and believe we have an excellent consortium in place to deliver a significant project for the industry,” said Gino Bawn , project manager.
“ This project has supported the scaling up of our technology and has enabled us to grow our UK team. The technology, which has been proven in river and canal environments has global appeal with the potential to tap into previously inaccessible marine resources, ” said Joe Hussey , engineering manager UK, Instream Energy Systems.