WATCH: Next-gen tidal energy generator undergoes trials at UK’s META

December 3, 2025, by Melisa Cavcic

CGEN Engineering, a spinout company from the University of Edinburgh, has put its fully marinised, next-generation modular electrical generator for tidal energy devices to the test over the past few months at a test site of the Marine Energy Test Area (META) in the Cleddau Estuary, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom.

CGEN Engineering tests its tidal energy generator at META; Courtesy of META — CGEN Engineering’s tidal energy generator; Courtesy of META

The trials of CGEN Engineering’s TideGen project at META’s Warrior Way test site are said to have proven the system’s performance in real tidal operating conditions and elevated the technology’s TRL from 5 to 7.

In addition, the project, which demonstrated the generator’s manufacturability and transportability, reportedly showed itself to be a cost-effective solution for seamless plug-and-play assembly onsite with an existing tidal turbine.

Joe Burchell, Managing Director at CGEN, commented: “The TideGen project marks the successful completion of our first major programme as an independent company. We set ambitious goals from the outset, and the project has been both highly challenging and hugely rewarding for us.

“It’s given us valuable experience in marine operations and generator deployment, and it’s been great working with the partners who helped make it happen.”

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CGEN’s technology is perceived to use a modular electromagnetic converter to transform slow, powerful renewable energy, such as tides or waves, into clean, affordable electricity. The firm’s generator systems are seen as being ideal for wind, tidal, and wave energy applications due to their lightweight design, ease of transport, and simple maintenance.

Lars Fisher, Electrical and Electronic Engineer at CGEN, remarked: “We have learned a great deal during the TideGen project, particularly in terms of marine operations and system design. With the experience and skills gained and developed within the team, we’re now in a strong position for future projects in the tidal energy sector whether that means more grant-funded R&D, or commercial engagements.

“Value from the project can also be brought to the table in conversation with investors, evidencing our team and technology’s capabilities. Learnings from the project are being incorporated into our design and project management practices already, and we’re looking forward to operating one of our generators again soon in real-world, challenging conditions.”

The modular design is also interpreted to make the generator easy to scale and repair, allowing it to be built to any required size, reducing environmental impact, as components can be more easily recovered, reused, and recycled.

These features are deemed to help cut costs by up to 30% and overall lifetime expenses by around 20%. CGEN and META were joined by renewable energy developers in October 2025 for an exclusive event to showcase the next-generation modular generator and meet the engineering team.

A vessel sail-by allowed developers to see the generator in the water and view operational data streamed from the system. Funded by Innovate UK, this project has worked with and used Swansea University’s tidal turbine and Rudders Boatyard’s test platform.

Saul Young, Operations Manager at META, noted: “We were very pleased CGEN chose to test at META’s pre-consented tidal stream site, which offers easy access and flows up to 1.5m/s.

“The project exemplified the valuable local partners available at META including Swansea University and Rudders Boatyard who were both instrumental to the project’s success. We wish CGEN all the best with their next stage of development and commercialisation.”