Engineers Test Sea Tidal Power

Jan 2, 2008 - Liverpool Echo - energycentral.com

The ability to harness tidal power for the UK has been boosted after research by engineering specialist Frazer-Nash, which has its north west base in Warrington.

Experts carried out technological assessment of a tidal stream turbine system off Norway for Scottish-Power, the power provider for Merseyside.

The assessment will enable the creation of a prototype tidal system which could be three times the size of the Norwegian Ham- merfest Strom turbine and provide power for the UK.

Installed in 2003, the original Norwegian 300kW tidal stream turbine is connected to the local electricity grid, and for the past four years has provided power for the neighbouring town of Hammerfest, the most northerly town in the world.

ScottishPower intends to develop its model in partnership with the Norwegians.

Jonathan Armstrong, technical manager at Frazer-Nash Consultancy, said: "Our involvement in a project of this significance represents the core role that Frazer-Nash plays in the marine renewable sector.

"The Hammerfest Strom prototype is one of only two tidal energy systems of its kind in the world to be underpinned by long-term sea testing."

(c) 2008 Liverpool Echo. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.