Artists impression of a field of Lunar Energy RTT units. Source:Rotech Engineering

Lunar Energy and E.ON UK, the company that runs Powergen, have today announced they are to develop a tidal stream power project of up to 8 MWs in the sea off the west coast of the UK utilising the innovative Rotech Tidal Turbine units.

The project would be the first commercial scale tidal stream energy plant of its kind anywhere in the World, capable of producing enough power for up to 5,000 homes.

The proposed scheme will use tidal streams, which are fast-moving currents created by rising and falling tides, to turn an array of large turbines situated on the sea floor.

Lunar Energy's Chairman, William Law commented:

“Today is a significant milestone in our programme to establish a UK-led sustainable worldwide tidal stream energy industry, which will offer predictable and sustainable energy in an environmentally friendly manner. In the last 6 years Lunar Energy and our technology partner Rotech Engineering, have made pivotal and significant advances in marine turbine technology and we are delighted that E.ON have recognised this by choosing our RTT for this first commercial field. This cutting edge technology has worldwide implications for the global provision of renewable energy and comes with a base power source that is both predictable and free.

The Lunar Energy RTT technology is invisible and environmentally friendly and to be selected as the technology of choice for the first commercial scale tidal stream development in the UK is a testament to the innovation and adaptability of this technology developed for us by Rotech Engineering Limited.”

Dr Paul Golby, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, said:

“As we look to battle global warming we have to take advantage of a range of new technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

This pioneering scheme shows that we at E.ON are looking to change the way that we approach energy in the UK .”

Notes for editors

1. Founded in 2001, Lunar Energy is at the forefront in developing an economical and variable submerged tidal turbine with the aim of producing reliable renewable energy in an unobtrusive manner. Lunar developed its technology with Rotech Engineering Limited whose design, the Rotech Tidal Turbine (RTT), is patent protected and is designed to capture and convert tidal stream energy into renewable electricity. Due to the modular build of these submersible turbines they can be easily grouped to suit tidal streams in suitable locations worldwide.

2. E.ON is one of the largest renewable generators in the UK.

a. It has stakes in 20 wind farms across the country, is co-firing biomass alongside coal at two of its power stations, building the UK's largest dedicated biomass power station in Scotland and owns the largest hydro power station in England and Wales.

b. The companies renewable portfolio generates enough power to cater for the domestic electricity needs of a city the size of Manchester.

3. At the heart of the Rotech Tidal (RTT) Technology design is a simple horizontal axis symmetrical turbine using a ducted design to capture and maximise the reversing natural currents of the oceans to generate viable low cost renewable energy. Energy is provided to the generator via marine-standard hydraulic motors.

Source: Lunar Energy

4. Lunar Energy's tidal turbine design is specifically engineered to have minimal or no impact on shipping, marine usage and the environment, such as marine life, and to have an application worldwide, especially in areas of high velocity tidal flows.

5. Lunar Energy and its technical partner Rotech Engineering are focused on developing technology that will provide low cost, reliable and sustainable energy for this and future generations.

6. The development of the Lunar RTT technology has been supported from the early stages by the UK Government Department of Trade and Industry, together with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

7. A 1MW turbine is due to be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney in 2007/8 for further development and verification of performance.

8. Tidal Energy is predictable,

a. The tidal stream resource is predictable far into the future, enabling accurate forecast of future power take-off. Consequently, cash flow and business case can be offered with confidence.

b. Unlike weather-affected sectors such as wind, tidal stream does not require a spinning reserve power source because of its predictability and certainty as an energy source.

c. Water is 800 times denser than air so proportionally more power can be harnessed at any given current/wind speed,. Therefore, to create the same power take-off, tidal turbines are significantly smaller than wind turbines.

d. Total UK tidal market is estimated at 22,000,000 MW (Source: Black & Veatch, 2004). The majority of this resource is in water deeper than 40m of water. Unlike many other technologies, the Lunar RTT technology is not limited by the depth of water.

e. Lunar Energy RTT Technology uses industry proven components and operational techniques developed in the offshore industry, allowing the operational and maintenance regimes and costs to be predicted with confidence.

9. Lunar RTT technology is invisible

a. Situated on the seabed, the technology cannot be seen from above the surface of the ocean.

b. An environmental impact assessment already carried out by Robert Gordon University concluded that overall this technology is expected to have no significant environmental impact.

c. Blade rotation is very slow (about 25 rpm) and so is expected to have minimal effects on fish and mammals. Indeed, with the shrouding of the rotor and the artificial reef effects of the structure, the RTT is likely to offer environmental benefits.

d. When sited, the turbines will not interfere with shipping and navigation because there will be significant gap between the top of the turbine and the ocean surface.

10. Lunar RTT technology is economic

a. The Rotech Tidal Turbine (RTT), with its removable central cassette, adheres to the Lunar concept of reduced O&M costs

b. The Rotech Tidal Turbine (RTT) is designed to be deployed in many seabed conditions with minimal preparation.

c. It is intended that the cost of electricity produced by the RTT will be competitive with that produced by other forms of generation.

11. A high quality 3D animation of the new units is available to broadcast media. Stills from the animation are available to print media.

For more information please contact:

Lunar Energy

Andrea Tyrrell
Lunar Energy Power Limited
Email: andrea.tyrrell@lunarenergy.co.uk
+44 (0)1482 648964