Tidal stream research to cut carbon and boost energy security – University of Strathclyde
Renewable energy delivery from ocean tides, and the contribution of tidal stream energy to net zero goals, are to be supported through a £7million investment in research co-led at the University of Strathclyde.
Researchers working to cut carbon emissions and boost energy security using tidal stream power are set to benefit from the investment by EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council).
The Co-tide (Co-design to deliver Scalable Tidal Stream Energy) project will bring together multi-disciplinary teams from Strathclyde and the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh. The group will work to make renewable energy generation from ocean tides cheaper, more reliable and scalable.
The CoTide project will develop integrated engineering tools and solutions, together with concept designs complemented by laboratory demonstrators.
Achieving the UK’s target to reach Net Zero by 2050 requires the decarbonisation of all the nation’s energy supplies and a huge expansion of renewable generation from the current 50GW to 120-300GW.
The powerful tides that surround the UK remain under-utilised but have huge potential as a source of greener power that could make a significant contribution to this goal. Unlike the wind and the sun, tides also ebb and flow at predictable times every day and so have the advantage of providing power that is both renewable and reliable.
The CoTide researchers will work to ensure that the UK can take full advantage of this incredible resource by developing state-of-the-art tidal stream turbine systems. Unlike more traditional tidal barrages and tidal lagoons that require turbines to be installed in structures such as dams or sea walls, tidal stream turbines are fixed directly at sea in the line of the strongest, most suitable tidal flows. They are cheaper to build and install and, crucially, have less of an environmental impact.
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