Tidal Energy receives funding to deploy DeltaStream device

Funding for the demonstration project, to be deployed in Pembrokeshire’s Ramsey Sound, was secured from the European Regional Development Fund via the Welsh government.

In total, Tidal Energy has secured £11m to manufacture and deploy the DeltaStream device, the balance being provided by majority shareholder Eco2.

Cranfield University, which for the past three years has provided specialist design support to the project, will continue its research and development work and will also play a role in the deployment of the prototype, overseeing condition monitoring and the performance of the device.

In operation, DeltaStream sits on the sea bed without the need for a positive anchoring system and generates electricity from three separate horizontal-axis turbines mounted on a common frame.

The device — which will provide electricity to homes in the city of St Davids during its 12-month demonstration period — has been designed to be installed and maintained with minimal impact on the environment.