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."
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