Marine Power in the North East

Marine Power generation is still in a developmental phase and therefore in the short term opportunities for the North East region are in providing the technical skills and resources to progress the research, development and testing of the various technology options. The North East has an advantage in this, in that it has world class resources and technical expertise available at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), which operates a Marine Test Facility as well as a Tidal Test Facility at the Tees Barrage. This facility consists of 3 seawater docks together with a wave maker and access to pumps to emulate a tidal race. The facility provides within a controlled environment an intermediate testing capability at typically 1/10th scale, enabling developers to test and develop concept designs in a cost effective and safe and controlled manner. NaREC is a founder member of the UK Centre for Marine Renewable Energy (UKMREC) and is actively involved in developing the industry’s standards. Richard Brook from NaREC informs NEREG of marine power developments and supports this technology in the wider renewables agenda. Longer term opportunities however are focused upon the North East’s shipyard and marine construction assets base and heritage. 

The North East also has a reputation in product development, and one North East company, SMD Hydrovision, are seen as pioneers in tidal systems development. The company has received a DTI Grant to further test and develop its TidEI system.

The UK Minister of State for Energy, Mr. Malcolm Wicks, today announced grant funding assistance of £2.7m to SMD Hydrovision for the further development of the system. The DTI grant funding will help develop a 1MW rated, grid connected system which will be developed and built by SMD Hydrovision in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The unit will be installed at the EMEC Tidal Test Site, Orkney in 2006 where it will undergo a rigorous testing regime. The system is an elegant solution that minimises initial capital cost while reducing sub sea complexity as well as providing high quality power to the grid.