Energy Breakthrough For Underwater Tidal Turbines
- Editor OGN Daily
- 38 minutes ago
- 1 min read
A tidal turbine submerged off the Scottish coast has achieved a significant milestone.
The turbine has now operated continuously for more than six years, harnessing the power of ocean tides to generate clean electricity. This remarkable durability, with the unit spinning approximately 40 metres (44 yards) below the surface, demonstrates the technology's commercial viability.
According to the trade association Ocean Energy Europe, maintaining a large, grid-scale turbine in such a harsh marine environment for this duration is a record. This longevity is crucial, as it helps pave the way for the development of larger tidal energy farms and significantly enhances the sector's appeal to investors. The proven resilience of the technology mitigates the prohibitive costs that would arise if turbines required frequent removal for maintenance.
Tidal energy technologies are still in the early days of their commercial development, but their potential for generating clean energy is significant. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, marine energy, a term researchers use to refer to power generated from tides, currents, waves or temperature changes, is the world’s largest untapped renewable energy resource.
Achieving six years in the water with constant operations is a “very significant milestone” that bodes well for the future of tidal energy, said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe.