Useful energy can be generated from marine currents using completely submerged turbines comprised of rotor blades and a generator. Water turbines work on the same principle as wind turbines. However, owing to the higher density of water, water turbines are smaller than their wind counterparts for the same installed capacity. In addition, the velocities in good tidal stream area are a fraction of typical wind cut-out speeds, but they are steadier and accurately predictable.

Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) is a company dedicated to developing a revolutionary technology targeting the commercial exploitation of the huge renewable energy resource available in the world’s oceans.

MCT’s patented technology is a 1 MW rated submarine tidal current turbine based on using pitch regulated axial flow rotors.

The commercial prototype, ‘Seagen’ is currently under construction and due for installation in Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland. Alongside MCT, B9 Energy are involved in devising the Operation & Maintenance strategy / procedures manual for Seagen. We are helping to devise the work procedures with the intention of going on to provide O&M services for the planned arrays of turbines that will follow the first demonstration model by the end of 2008. As the turbine is very novel, so too are some of the procedures that still have to be fully defined. Strangford is an ideal “test bed” for trying out various methods in comparatively sheltered waters before going on to enact these offshore in full scale tidal farms.

For more information please visit www.marineturbines.com