Tidal team harness Humber power
maandag, 7 december 2009
Plans to install a £1 million tidal stream device in the River Humber which will provide renewable energy for The Deep's Submarium in Hull have been unveiled.
Neptune Renewable Energy (NREL), based in North Ferriby, East Yorkshire, has developed a 150-tonne full-scale demonstration model which it plans to moor in the Humber by early January. It will harness the power of the river's tidal patterns as a source for clean, renewable electricity.
According to NREL, the 'Proteus' works equally well in ebb and flow currents after undergoing extensive testing at the University of Hull's 'Total Environment Simulator'.
Nigel Petrie, chairman of NREL, said: "Upon the completion of the demonstrator trials, the aim is to have the world's first tidal stream power array, consisting of advanced Proteus designs, up and running close to The Deep in the Humber during 2011/12.
"We believe that the future for Neptune Renewable Energy and Proteus is extremely bright, given the renewed focus by Government on renewable power generation."
The company believes that unlike wind power, tidal stream power was "regular" and "predictable".
Copyright © Press Association 2009
<http://www.neptunerenewableenergy.com/> (Neptune Renewable Energy)