Top news, January 16 – 22, 2017

Tidal Energy Today has compiled the top news from tidal and wave energy industry from January 16 – 22, 2017.

Minesto eyes load cells for tidal kite

Minesto is looking for a supplier of load cells that will be used for its Deep Green tidal power plant. Swedish tidal energy developer will use the load cells to measure tether and struts force on its 500kW tidal power plant planned for deployment off Wales. The load cells will be placed in the top joint, which connects the tether and the wing via the struts. Designed as load pins, the load cells will measure the forces and the information will be sent to the kite’s control system, Minesto said. The tender is open until January 30, with the expected award date set for February 20, 2017.

ETI outlines priorities for competitive marine energy

Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has set out its priorities for the UK’s marine energy industry if it is to compete with other low carbon sources of energy. ETI believes the focus should be on exploiting tidal stream technology commercially as tidal stream has the potential to compete with other low carbon energy sources over the coming decade.

Video: GMax tidal energy concept

US-based tidal energy developer GMax Tidal Energy has released a video showing their tidal energy solution using linear flow technology to produce power. GMax’s modular unit device will contain 2 GMax permanent magnet generators with the nameplate capacity between 2-4MW, according to GMax Tidal Energy.

Nova Innovation to complete Shetland tidal array by April

Edinburgh-based tidal energy developer Nova Innovation plans to add the final tidal turbine to the Shetland tidal array by April 2017. Nova Innovation has engaged a multicat vessel C-Odyssey from the Orkney-based marine renewables services provider Leask Marine to conduct offshore and subsea operations on a tidal energy array in the Bluemull Sound, Shetland.

Ecosse agrees multi-million credit for renewables projects

Ecosse Subsea Services (ESS) has secured a multi-million-pound revolving credit facility with full service bank Handelsbanken to support its renewable energy ambitions. The new relationship will support the Banchory-based subsea engineering specialist ESS as it tenders for larger renewables and power generation contracts, the company said.