TECHNOLOGY

RENEWABLE ENERGY - THE WAY FORWARD

'Tidal In-Stream Energy Conversion (TISEC) is leading the way, largely because the underlying technology is very similar to that of wind turbines, but with devices driven by moving water instead of moving air. As a result, TISEC turbines can benefit from decades of experience in refining and scaling up wind energy machines, including the use of advanced composite materials, power electronics, and underwater construction techniques used in offshore wind, oil and gas installations. In addition, because tides can be predicted years into the future, TISEC generators can sell electricity as firm power to the electricity grid, thus reducing the need for costly reserve power.'

Lunar Energy is building a new power company using patented technology developed by Rotech Engineering. This technology is based on the Rotech Tidal Turbine (RTT) for which Lunar Energy has the worldwide in-perpetuity licence. A team of experienced collaborators have been drawn together and the following companies are now collaborating on or contracted to the development of the RTT:

• Rotech (lead designers and project managers)
• Atkins (structural design)
• ABB (generators)
• Hagglands and Bosch Rexroth (hydraulic pumps, motors & circuits)
• SKF (bearings)
• Garrad Hassan (control algorithms and hardware)
• Wichita (hydraulic brake)

The RTT is unique and unobtrusive and at its heart is a bi-symmetrical horizontal axis turbine housed in a venturi duct. With its main operating system being removeable for maintenance the RTT adheres to Lunar Energy’s demand that its technology be robust, simple and economic. It is an accepted principle in this new growth sector of the energy industry that the high end costs of any tidal energy project relate to

• Installation
• Operation and maintenance (O&M)

Reduction of these costs is critical to the overall success of any such project and the RTT with its removeable central core is well placed to control O & M costs whilst delivering on its core function – renewable, predictable and economic energy.