Currently in the final stages of construction by Wear Dock and Engineering in Sunderland, the plan is to bring the completed unit to Hull by early January with commissioning shortly afterwards.
Thanks to extensive model tests at the University of Hull's Total Environmental Simulator research facility, Neptune has been able to continuously refine the design of its tidal stream power generator, resulting in a design with the potential to generate 30% more electricity compared to traditional hydro designs. n addition, patented flow control shutters on the Proteus maximise the area of water hitting the turbines to increase torque and power output.
A major benefit offered by tidal stream power, like that utilised in Neptune's Proteus, is the delivery of a regular, predictable, source of renewable energy compared to intermittent options such as wind. Once moored, the state-of-the-art Proteus is able to work equally well in ebb and flow currents and consists of a steel hull, vertically mounted turbine, and buoyancy chambers.
Created specifically for estuarine sites, Neptune believes the Proteus offers a number of practical advantages including: the proximity of the generating capacity to the grid or distribution supply points; the fact that it can be moored in relatively sheltered locations means that waves are not impacting on the structure - with the potential for damage - and being close to land simplifies the installation and maintenance process.
Neptune selected the Humber Estuary for the first deployment of Proteus as, given its depth and tidal flow, it is considered one of the best locations in the British Isles for tidal stream power.
When it comes to the environment, as the Proteus is a moored system, according to Neptune the demonstrator will have a minimal impact. Also, the bulk of its mainly steel construction can be recycled in the future.
"The deployment of the Proteus Demonstrator is undoubtedly a major landmark and will serve as a key platform for the company's ongoing success,” said Neptune’s Chairman, Nigel Petrie. “Our approach offers an extremely favourable return on investment at protected estuarine sites, compared to the equivalent capacity of wind power, and we are confident that this technology can be successfully applied in other sites in the UK and, potentially, worldwide,” he added.
Upon completion of the demonstrator trials, the aim is to have the world's first tidal stream power array, consisting of advanced Proteus designs, up and running close to The Deep in the Humber during 2011-12.
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