The Neptune Proteus device, which will supply electricity to the Deep aquarium by harnessing tidal power, is being commissioned this week.
After five years of research, the Proteus, developed by Neptune Renewable Energy, will provide the lights and heating at the Deep, Hull, from April onwards. The yellow device is moored 60 metres offshore with buoyancy tanks holding cutting edge technology.
The Deep is the company’s first customer to use the technology and if the new system is seen to be working well, then similar small but efficient units could be sited in nearby areas of reliable tidal streams.
Nigel Petrie, chairman of Neptune Renewable Energy, based in Hull, said:
“The development of the Neptune Proteus has paved the way for the design of our production model, arrays of which will provide a dedicated supply of clean power to major industries located on the Humber estuary and other suitable British locations.
“Supplying power to our first customer, The Deep, presents us with a great opportunity to raise the profile of our technology and of the potential for tidal stream power generation to make a significant contribution to meeting both commercial and domestic electricity demands.”
The north benefits from a number of locations which have regular tidal streams, especially in estuaries. Technological innovation thrives in the Hull docks and the region is seen as an ideal testing place for maritime renewal energy, which could provide 20 per cent of current UK electricity needs.
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