Most read articles of 2016

MeyGen project tidal turbine installation (Photo: Atlantis Resources/David Taaffe)

 
Tidal Energy Today is bringing you the list of the articles you read the most in 2016.

Atlantis launches MeyGen project

The 398MW MeyGen project was officially unveiled by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, in September. After the unveiling, the installation of the four 1.5MW tidal turbines began as part of the Phase 1A of the project, which culminated in the first power production from one of the turbines in November.

UK reviews feasibility of tidal lagoon energy

The UK government commissioned an independent review into the feasibility and practicality of tidal lagoon energy in the UK early in 2016. The review considered whether, and in what circumstances, tidal lagoons could play a cost effective role as part of the UK energy mix, and opportunities and financing options for tidal lagoons. Charles Hendry, head of the review, submitted the results to UK government in December.

EU funds open sea testing of ocean energy technology

The European Union launched an €11 million Funding Ocean Renewable Energy through Strategic European Action (FORESEA) initiative in July. The goal of the initiative is to provide funding support for ocean energy technology developers to access Europe’s world-leading ocean energy test facilities. After the first FORESEA call, ten ocean energy developers were selected to test their technologies.

OpenHydro turbine at Paimpol-Bréhat site (Photo: DCNS)

 
Tidal array at Paimpol-Bréhat fully deployed

The second tidal turbine was installed by OpenHydro, a DCNS company, late in May 2016 off France, following the first installed in January. The deployment of the turbine marked the completion of 1MW EDF’s Paimpol-Bréhat tidal array.

First 2MW tidal turbine hits Bay of Fundy waters

Cape Sharp Tidal has deployed the first 2MW OpenHydro tidal turbine at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) off Nova Scotia, Canada, early in November, 2016. Late in the same month, the turbine exported first power to Nova Scotia’s power grid.

(Photo: DCNS)

DCNS brings marine renewable energies under one roof

French naval defense and energy specialist DCNS is consolidating interests in marine energy through the creation of a new subsidiary with the aim of bringing tidal, ocean thermal energy (OTEC) and floating offshore wind to full maturity.

Atlantis embarks on MeyGen’s next phase

Atlantis Resources confirmed its investment decision to proceed with the next development phase of MeyGen in 2017. This second phase of MeyGen site development will be focused on progressing lower cost of energy for tidal stream, by including larger diameter rotors to capture more energy from the tidal flow, as well as optimized turbine power ratings.

World’s largest tidal turbine launched in Belfast

In May 2016, Scotrenewables Tidal Power launched its 2 MW SR2000, the world’s largest energy generating floating tidal turbine, at Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. The turbine has been later installed on its moorings at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) as part of site commissioning and testing.

SR2000 at Harland and Wolff (Photo: Scotrenewables)

 
Ocean Energy Roadmap to guide sector’s commercialization

The report, known as Ocean Energy Roadmap, was produced by the ocean energy sector at the request of the European Commission, through its Ocean Energy Forum initiative. The Roadmap identifies the challenges facing the sector on its path to commercial readiness and puts forward four solutions to overcome them.

Oregon’s NNMREC bags $40M to build wave energy test site

US Department of Energy has allocated $40 million to Oregon State University’s Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) to construct an open-water wave energy testing facility. The NNMREC facility, known as the Pacific Marine Energy Center South Energy Test Site (PMEC-SETS) will be constructed in Newport, Oregon, and is planned to be operational by 2020.

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