Marine renewable energy project
Proteus NP1000 to be tested in the Humber estuary
By applying its experience and design knowledge, OSD has helped UK company Neptune Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL) to develop an innovative device to capture the potential of tidal stream energy. The Proteus NP1000 full scale demonstrator will harness tidal currents to produce at least 1000 MWh/year of electrical energy.
The original concept for the tidal current generator was developed at the University of Hull, where initial CFD, mathematical and physical modelling was carried out. In 2008 Neptune Renewable Energy Ltd was able to secure private investment to enable funding of the full scale demonstrator, and OSD turned the concept into reality with a full structural design to Lloyds Register approval, advice on equipment sourcing and building supervision.
The NP1000 is a catamaran type structure 20 m in length, 14 m wide weighing more than 150 t. It was built in Sunderland under the supervision of OSD-IMT and was transported by barge to Hull where performance trials to validate the concept will be undertaken.
Future plans following full scale onsite tests are to install a further ten units in the Humber. There are at least ten more estuary sites around the UK, and hundreds worldwide, which potentially could support this new technology.
