Minesto, based in Gothenburg, Sweden and Northern Ireland, has developed a proven technology to cost efficiently produce electricity from low velocity tidal and ocean currents,.
The upcoming tests of Minesto’s tidal and ocean current energy solution Deep Green in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, marks a major step forward in the commercialization of the innovative technology that has the potential to double the amount of tidal power that the UK can produce. Minesto says Deep Green is the only available solution that works cost-effectively in slow currents.
The permits for Minesto were secured in record time as the UK sees Minesto’s solution as strategically important in order to reach the EU's "2020 target", i.e. that renewable energy should account for 15 percent of all energy production in the UK by 2020. The reliability and predictability of tidal energy means it has a strategic role to play in the UK’s energy mix.
The Crown Estate, which owns and manages the British royal family's estate, including the coastal areas and seabed of Northern Ireland, has now approved three marine renewable projects, the other two being The Isle of Wight Council and Scotrenewables Tidal Power. Minesto is the only company of the three that has also secured all other permits necessary, from e.g. the Northern Ireland Environmental Agency, to commence the trials.
Deep Green is a patented technology to cost-effectively produce energy from relatively slow tides and currents, a solution that extends the total potential for renewable marine energy significantly. The Deep Green is the only known technology in the world that is capable of producing energy in a cost-effective manner in slow currents.
Deep Green resembles a sweeping underwater kite, comprised of a wing and a turbine which is secured to the seabed with a tether and moves in a fast 8-shaped path in the tidal and ocean current.
Permit is important step in the commercialization of Deep Green
Anders Jansson, CEO, Minesto. commented;
“The site permit is important for our product development and commercialization of Deep Green.”
“There is increasing interest in our solution for cost-effective marine energy production from low velocity currents – and that is the reason for us getting the permit so quickly. Deep Green expands the total potential for marine energy considerably. Marine energy is seen as increasingly strategically important in many countries, and especially in the United Kingdom.”
Tests will start in early 2013
The sea trials are seen as an important step forward in the commercialization of Deep Green. They will now be carried out at a scale of 1:4 for a period of up to two years to validate the technology, later being scaled up to full scale. This is the second round of sea tests; in the beginning of 2012 successful tests where completed at a scale of 1:10. The new tests are expected to start in early 2013.
Compared to other traditional and renewable energy sources, tidal and ocean current energy is considerably more predictable and reliable and with minimal visual and environmental impact. Marine energy from the world’s ocean has huge potential.
Deep Green, with its low weight and ability to function in low velocity currents, has several advantages compared to other tidal and ocean current power plants: the catchment area is much larger, and service and maintenance is more cost efficient, resulting in low electricity production costs, comparable with traditional energy sources.
David Krohn, Wave and Tidal Development Manager at RenewableUK commented:
“This is great news not only for the developers involved but also for the industry as a whole because it shows the level of confidence that exists around this technology.
“These three lease awards all signify important steps forward for the industry. Scotrenewables is demonstrating a floating device that could fundamentally alter the cost reduction landscape, while minesto is opening up new areas for development by demonstrating that energy can be generated in lower current speeds. The Isle of Wight award shows that communities can get behind tidal projects and make a meaningful difference to the way energy is generated in the UK.
“This confirms what we know, which as that the development of tidal devices continues to gather speed and efficiency. It is positive stories like these and many others that we will be focusing on at our annual Wave and Tidal Conference in February, which will give the Wave and Tidal industries the chance to come together and take stock of the massive step forwards we are continuing to see.”