Engineering news
Including subsea hubs, anchors for floating devices, controllers to optimise lifetime turbine performance, cable monitoring and tidal array optimisation, the 10 innovations were identified in the Tidal Stream Technology Roadmap, published by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
Simon Cheeseman, wave and tidal energy sector lead at ORE Catapult, said: “Our new report demonstrates how and where cost reduction can be achieved through technology innovation, creating significant growth in the UK tidal industry.
“With rising costs and the need to adapt to a varied future renewable energy mix, we have identified key drivers in how tidal energy can reduce UK energy system costs by up to £600m a year and play a full part in the net zero revolution.”
The technology innovations highlighted in the report could support 1GW of tidal stream capacity being installed in the UK by 2035, in line with UK Marine Energy Council (MEC) recommendations.
Sue Barr, chair of the UK MEC, said: “The UK tidal energy sector has shown a strong pipeline of projects, through the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme rounds four and five. With over 90MW of potential tidal energy projects due to deliver across Scotland and Wales in coming years, there is a clear signal that tidal technology is moving towards a commercially viable future.
“Our ambitious UK target of 1GW of installed capacity by 2035 means it is imperative we can define the levers and strategies which can strengthen delivery of tidal stream technology into our energy system.
“The Tidal Stream Technology Roadmap is a much-needed report, setting out the value and scale of the tidal energy sector and quantifying the systems benefits tidal technology can provide. It also provides strategies for enhancing the reduction of tidal stream costs through innovation and collaboration.”
In an optimistic cost reduction scenario outlined in the report, the innovations were projected to support a reduction in tidal stream cost from the current £259/MWh to £50/MWh by 2035.
The report also highlights that further R&D will fail to secure an “accelerated project pipeline” for tidal energy without appropriate policy support to boost continued deployment, and private investment to drive commercialisation. It identifies the need for an increased ringfence for tidal stream energy within the UK government’s CfD scheme, and reforms to the CfD process to recognise benefits generated by renewable energy projects, such as system integration and supply chain development, rather than focusing on lowest price bids.
Sean Parsons, director of external affairs at UK tidal stream developer SAE Renewables, said: “This report highlights that tidal stream energy can play a significant role in powering our homes and businesses while also providing further significant benefits for the community and wider UK supply chain.
“SAE’s MeyGen site is the world’s leading tidal energy site and has provided over 50GWh of clean, predictable power to the electricity system, generated jobs and investment, exported technology and provided a platform to innovate and demonstrate a leading global technology while driving down costs.
“But to deliver the benefits highlighted in the report we need the ongoing support of government to provide a route to market and continue allowing sites around the UK to expand.”
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.