The company will lead the project, which will be build on the success of the company’s SeaGen tidal system that has been generating electricity into the grid since 2008.
MCT’s new technology will use similar turbines, power trains and control systems to those already proven with SeaGen. The next-generation SeaGen will be able to be maintained above the surface of the water and will have sufficient internal air-filled space to carry the equipment essential to produce fully grid compliant electricity.
Charles Hendry, the UK Energy Minister, said: “Wave and tidal stream technologies, such as SeaGen, have the potential to supply millions of homes with low carbon energy – reducing our dependency on foreign energy imports and cutting dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.
“SeaGen, which has received financial support from the UK Government, is an excellent example of the UK’s world-class engineering and offshore expertise and skills.”
Martin Wright, managing director of Marine Current Turbines, said: “The experience that we have gained with SeaGen’s deployment and commercial operation is a huge asset in taking forward the development of the next-generation technology, and we greatly welcome the support given to us and our partners by the Technology Strategy Board, the EPSRC and the UK Government.”
Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board, said: “By 2050 we are going to have very different energy needs than we have today and we will be getting our energy from different sources.
“The UK is well placed to exploit wave and tidal stream energy resources with all of the coast line that we have, and it is expected this kind of technology will be an important part of the renewable energy mix needed in the future.”
