Major Milestone in Tidal Power Emerges with ‘Spirit of the Sea’

A full-scale, 156-ton tidal power generator meant to display the potential for harnessing tides as a source of renewable energy has been unveiled in Wales for a 12-month trial.  If the trial goes well the company behind the generator, Tidal Energy, hopes to set up a nine more of these seven-story mechanisms and generate 10 megawatts of power, enough to supply electricity to around 10,000 homes in the area.

Across the Atlantic in Maine, Halcyon Tidal Power is meeting with state officials, residents, and investors this week as part of its efforts to build a $125-million tidal energy project in Cobscook Bay that could power more than 13,000 homes according to Ted Verrill, the company’s president.

Called a “tidal barrage,” the plant would use pressure from falling and rising tides rather than the currents that many other tidal energy installations target.  Tidal barrages exist in Canada, France, and South Korea, but Halcyon is especially focused on minimizing environmental impacts and differentiating their device from what could almost be considered a dam.  The setup would use pumps to replicate natural tides when necessary and turbines meant to allow for fish to pass through.

Major Milestone in Tidal Power Emerges with ‘Spirit of the Sea’