Underwater generators that operate similarly to wind turbines could be built and operational by 2010, providing power to the UK with a potential equivalent to a nuclear power plant.
The TidalStream system is designed to harness the abundant energy from strong tidal currents deep underwater. Its creators are John Armstrong, former technical director of the Wind Energy Group at Taylor Woodrow, and Mike Todman, former chief engineer at Rolls Royce Marine.
“If the UK could fully exploit all available tidal energy, it could meet about 20-40% of the total electricity demand,” remarked marine engineer Julian Wolfram, who is set to become a visiting professor at the University of Edinburgh.
![turbine dienthuytrieu]](https://scimyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/turbine-dienthuytrieu].jpg "New Tidal Power Generation System 41") |
The TidalStream power generation system, featuring a tubular buoy with four turbines. The buoy moves around a fixed base on the seabed to find the strongest flow. |
According to Wolfram, several research teams are also exploring the potential of tidal power, hoping to contribute to the goal of 20% of national energy coming from renewable sources by 2002. However, installing and maintaining a system of underwater turbines in rough sea conditions and deep water presents both technical and economic challenges.
Traditional designs often need to be firmly anchored to the seabed with large, solid bases to prevent the strong currents from toppling the system. This method is both costly and difficult to install.
Armstrong and Todman developed a new system that can be placed in the deepest locations with the strongest currents, moving with the flow to capture maximum energy, and can be installed or maintained safely and economically without the need for cranes, barges, or divers.
Each structure consists of four turbines attached to a tubular buoy. The buoy is filled with water to sink it, leaving only the top visible, which positions the turbines for operation.
A long arm connects the buoy to a heavy base resting on the seabed. This arm is designed to move up and down, left and right, allowing the turbines to drift to the position of the strongest tidal flow.
When maintenance is required, water is pumped out of the buoy, causing the turbines to float to the surface, where they can be removed for repairs.
According to Armstrong, 300 TidalStream units could be installed over an area of 14 km2 in a strong current, such as the Pentland Firth, which separates mainland Scotland from the Orkney Islands. They could generate 1,200 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to meet the household needs of millions.
A small turbine has already been tested on the River Thames. “The biggest challenge right now may be the impact on shipping operations,” Armstrong stated.
T. An (according to Discovery)
