Technology
After carefully evaluating the development of various in-stream tidal turbines throughout the world, MTEC concluded that Marine Current Turbines Ltd. had the best technology, and was significantly further along the development curve than other companies.
MTEC and MCT have developed a unique working arrangement that is being used to move forward in developing the tidal energy potential of the Bay of Fundy and beyond.
MCT’s technology stems from an early in-stream turbine created to power an irrigation system. Specific highlights of MCT’s developments are as follows:
- 1994 - 15 kW Loch Linnhe “proof of concept” project.
- 2003 - 300 kW SeaFlow, North Devon, UK, demonstration unit, which, over several years, provided MCT with all the technical data that they required, with no interruption in performance.
- 2008 - 1.2 MW SeaGen, (see http://www.SeaGeneration.co.uk) the world’s first utility sized, grid connected turbine has been installed in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland on 20 May 2008.
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| Seaflow Turbine | Seaflow Turbine with Rotor Raised | SeaGen Turbine |
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| SeaGen in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland | SeaGen in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland |
With this proven track record, MCT is well positioned to take on the technical challenges of the Bay of Fundy. The turbine structures will be designed to meet the specific conditions of the site ultimately selected. MCT’s “next generation” structure (see below) is one way that the design may be altered. The MTEC/MCT team has already embarked on the extensive technical research required to ensure that the MCT turbine becomes a successful commercial power generator in the Bay of Fundy.
