Tidal Energy Today has compiled the top news from tidal and wave energy industry from December 11 – 17, 2017.
SIMEC dives deeper in tidal sector by acquiring 50% of Atlantis
International energy, infrastructure and natural resources group SIMEC has signed a conditional agreement with Atlantis Resources to acquire 49.9% of tidal energy developer’s share capital. Atlantis has in turn agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of SIMEC Uskmouth Power Limited, the owner of a power plant in South Wales. Upon trading re-admission, Atlantis will be renamed to SIMEC Atlantis Energy Limited.
Schottel Hydro scales down Bay of Fundy tidal ambitions
Schottel Hydro has decided to use smaller floating tidal energy platforms for the planned Bay of Fundy project in Canada. The move comes following the business strategy revision by Schottel Hydro and its wholly owned subsidiaries TidalStream and Black Rock Tidal Power (BRTP). The newly formed business strategy will focus on modular and scalable projects.
PLAT-I tidal platform generates first power
The 280kW PLAT-I platform was installed on November 25, 2017, and within two days after the installation, the SME and Schottel Hydro teams completed the first phase of commissioning the system. The work resulted in first power generation, with all four Schottel Instream Turbines (SITs) mounted on the platform reaching their rated power of 70kW each, and proving their performance characteristics.
EEL Energy performs tidal membrane try-outs in Brest
French tidal energy developer EEL Energy has conducted trials on its scaled tidal energy prototype in the port of Brest in France. The device, based on undulating membrane concept, was put under its first sea trials early in November 2017 to validate its performance in real sea conditions. EEL Energy hired local marine services provider Iroise Mer which provided its TSM Penzer vessel to facilitate the towing tests.
Tidal and wave put under government ‘triple test’ probe
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and industry body RenewableUK have launched an evidence-based assessment to examine how wave and tidal stream technologies can meet new ‘triple test’ set by the UK government. If the tests are passed, it is hoped that the study will pave the way for greater government support, including much-needed revenue support in the future.
Tidal Energy Today