Tidal turbine

A UK-developed vertical axis turbine that can generate power from tidal movements has successfully completed the current phase of its evaluation trials.

Developed in the UK by Cornwall-based FreeFlow 69, the Osprey turbine is designed to generate power from tidal movements of the sea, rivers and inland waterways.

Following positive initial testing of a reduced-scale model in 2007, a full-size prototype has recently been trialled with what has been described as 'significant success'.

A purpose-designed, 30ft-long aluminium catamaran rig was designed and built by associate company, Able Engineering of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, for use in these trials.

The test rig is equipped with a hydraulic scissor lift, to lower and retract the turbine housing into the water flow, and is powered by two outboard engines.

The rig drives the turbines through still water to simulate a current or flow of water at different speeds and it incorporates calibrated instrumentation to determine the power output of the turbine, together with two systems for measuring the torque loading on the contra-rotating blades.