Platforms for Tidal Energy Converters

Lead Research Organisation: CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment

Abstract

This project will contribute to one of the UK's major societal challenges, namely the energy trilemma: to decarbonize the energy system, to improve energy security and to minimise the cost of energy to the consumer.
Despite tidal energy being one of the most predictable and reliable source of renewable energy, the cost of the energy produced by tidal energy converters is still very high due to the high costs of the support structures utilised.
In the present project a disruptive and novel platform configuration is proposed that differs from the other tidal device foundations by virtually eliminating any wet moving part, and therefore lowering the costs and increasing the reliability. It is also designed to avoid the need of costly and scarce specialized vessels for transport and installation. This novel foundation concept will revolutionise the current design philosophy, unlocking new design spaces and opportunities.
The project will be conducted by an international team with renewable energy expertise.
Utilising the simple, reliable tidal turbine designed and experimentally tested by Tidal Harness Ltd, Cranfield University will apply its track-record proven expertise in the design of offshore floating structures for the renewable energy industry to this innovative design.
Tidal Harness Ltd and Cranfield University will be supported by very experienced partners in the renewable energy area: ORE Catapult, DNV-GL, and a strategic partner advising the consortium as regard the manufacturability aspects, Banah UK.
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is the UK's flagship technology innovation and research centre for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. Banah UK specialises in a revolutionary new low-carbon cement and will advise to all technical aspects related to methods of manufacturing reinforcement concrete structures. DNV-GL is the world's largest technical consultancy to the renewable energy industry.

Planned Impact

At the end of the project, the impact of the activities carried out by the present academic partners will be:
- The technical feasibility of the innovative and disruptive support platform configuration for tidal energy converter will be proven, benefiting the naval architect and ocean engineers designing floating support structures for tidal devices, by offering an alternative, more reliable and cheaper alternative.
- A methodology to perform the conceptual and preliminary design of this novel design will be developed and refined, with the contribution of the potential users (Tidal Harness Ltd, Banah UK), of relevant certification/classification authorities (DNVGL), and or the Offshore Renewable Energy CATAPULT research centre. This will benefit the tidal energy industry by confirming the potential to deliver cheaper tidal energy and therefore enhancing the confidence of the potential investors
- The project will deliver a novel contribution, and the arising IP will be secured through patent preparation and filing, benefiting the company investing in this project and providing value for money to the funding research councils.
- The novel design will be able to substantially lower the levelised cost of energy of tidal energy converters, making this technology more economically attractive.
 
Description In the UK, tidal energy resources are substantial, and they tend to be more predictable than wind and solar renewable energy. Nonetheless, the offshore tidal industry is still in its infancy, and a number of concepts are being assessed. These concepts, at the moment, are able to produce electricity, but its price is still too high. Through the present project, a techno-economic assessment of a novel type of floating tidal device has been performed, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve competitive electricity costs with a tidal device. In the process, a preliminary tidal floating device design and analysis methodology has been developed, which will be disseminated publicly. Furthermore, an increased research capability has been generated in the company, from training delivered in specialist skills, skills urgently needed in the UK in the offshore renewable market.
Exploitation Route The results of this project can be taken forward to contribute to one of the UK's major societal challenges, namely the energy trilemma: to decarbonize the energy system, to improve energy security and to minimise the cost of energy to the consumer. The disruptive, novel platform proposed differs from the other tidal device foundations by virtually eliminating any wet moving part, and avoiding the need of costly and scarce specialised vessels.
The preliminary design and analysis methodology developed is being publicly disseminated, constituting a perfect starting point for new companies in the tidal energy sector, or companies historically operating in the Oil & Gas sector, willing to diversify their portfolio in the renewable energy sector.
During the project, the consortium generated novel ideas, and not the company leading the project has the potential to secure the IPs of this technology/
Sectors Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Energy,Environment
URL https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/research-projects/swee-innovative-floating-support-platforms-for-tidal-energy-converters
 
Description The company has used the methodologies developed and the results obtained to raise interest in its product in East Asia, and in particular in Indonesia, where there is an active interest in small tidal turbines for local communities. To provide clean, sustainable, and local energy to small communities is a societal challenge now faced by a number of developing countries.
First Year Of Impact 2018
Sector Energy
Impact Types Societal
 
Title Preliminary design and analysis methodology for floating offshore tidal turbine 
Description A new methodology for the design and analysis of floating support structures, taking into account the specific requirements and constraints of a tidal energy device, has been developed. This methodology is suitable for the early design stages, being quick, robust, and flexible, and easily implementable in a common spreadsheet. 
Type Of Technology New/Improved Technique/Technology 
Year Produced 2017 
Impact At the moment, the new approach is being used by the company leading the project, and by the academic collaborators as a research and teaching tool. 
 
Description ITTC membership 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact As member of the Ocean Engineering Committe of the International Towing Tank Conference, the main academic researcher had an opportunity to present and discuss some (the ones not restricted by the NDA) of the research outputs, raising awareness of the UK research in this field, and receiving useful and relevant feedback from the other professionals (both from academia and industry) which were part of this committee.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016,2017
 
Description Meeting/workshop with international professionals on offshore renewable energy devices numerical modelling and experimental testing 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Around 20 professionals attended discussions focused on the numerical modelling and experimental testing techniques for offshore renewable energy devices. The audience was made aware of the main achievements of the projects managed by the investigator, as well as the work in progress, and how to maximise collaboration - further outreach.
The audience asked for further info, and highlighted an interest to collaborate more formally through project collaborations and seminars.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Outreach activity at Milngavie Primary School, Milngavie, Scotland 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact On the 10th of January 2019, I have been very busy answering the many questions of around fifty young and bright students (10-11 years old) of the Milngavie Primary School, in Milngavie, near Glasgow (Scotland). The children have asked tens and tens of questions on Renewable Energy, like what is the most efficient power plant, how much does it cost an offshore wind turbine, how do you install a wind turbine offshore, and have shown to be very interested, curious, and knowledgeable about this subject. I was also asked what my daily job consists of, on which projects am I working, and why I enjoyed teaching and researching at the University of Strathclyde - the children were very interested in hearing how the governments (through EPSRC in UK and NSFC in China) are funding research to making cheaper and safer the maintenance of offshore wind farms, to develop multi-use offshore platforms for small communities, and to design offshore renewable energy devices hopefully, and with a bit of help from the 60 cm high LEGO wind turbine model that he brought, some young minds have been inspired toward a STEM career
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019