Top news, January 8 – 14, 2018

Tidal Energy Today has compiled the top news from tidal and wave energy industry from January 8 – 14, 2018.


Wales pledges money for Swansea tidal lagoon

The First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones has written to the UK Prime Minister Theresa May stating his intention to provide ‘substantial’ investment for the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon if that would enable the project to move forward. Jones called UK government’s continued delay to green-light the Swansea Bay tidal lagoon ‘regrettable’, voicing also the fears of a growing risk that the continuing lack of a decision will turn, by default, into a decision not to proceed with the project.


French tackle tidal grid

Three French companies and one university have joined forces in a collaborative project focused on solving grid stability issues associated with tidal power generation for off-grid areas. French tidal energy developer Sabella, together with Entech and Blue Solutions, and the French naval academy Ecole Navale, will study and develop an energy storage system to smooth the power produced by a tidal turbine in a joint project named ULISS.EMR.


Japan plans ocean energy R&D demo project

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan plans to invite bids for the long-term ocean energy research and development project to accelerate the commercialization of marine energy technologies.

The demonstration R&D project will be conducted in two phases, where the initial phase will be focused on the feasibility of carrying out long-term empirical research on ocean energy generation. The second phase of the project will see the demonstration of the devices that were selected as suitable and with high commercial potential in the initial phase.


STORM spawns novel wave energy connector

A new multi-material connector for wave energy devices has been unveiled at London’s Brunel University. The connector features a novel material called Basaltium, made from recycled aluminium strengthened by tiny basalt fibers, and a coating from a low-friction nylon called Oilon – made by plastics makers Nylacast.

Together, Basaltium and Oilon make connectors lighter and tougher which means that moorings can last longer and cost less to manufacture and maintain, according to Brunel University.


Wave Swell validates wave energy device

Australian wave energy developer Wave Swell Energy (WSE) has completed the validation of its wave energy device in a wider range of water depths. During December 2017, WSE conducted detailed testing of its wave energy technology at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), part of the University of Tasmania.

The aim of the testing was to quantitatively validate the performance, and wave loads on the planned 200kW peak demonstration unit proposed for King Island.


Tidal Energy Today