RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
SeaQurrent
In 2018, SeaQurrent further developed their tidal kite, aiming at moderate water speeds. The concept has been validated at the test facilities of MARIN.
In 2019, SeaQurrent plans a first commercial demonstration project in the Wadden Sea, north of the Netherlands.
Pilot facility on the Afsluitdijk
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Redstack
Blue energy is energy generated from the difference in salinity between river water and sea water, for example at the point where a river naturally empties into the sea. According to Redstack, mixing 1 m3 of river water with 1 m3 of sea water can generate up to 0.5 kWh of electricity.
Reverse Electro Dialysis (RED) is a salinity gradient power technology that makes use of two types of membranes: one allows only positive ions to pass through, and the other allows only negative ions to pass through. Electricity can be generated by arranging these two types of membranes in a RED stack.
The amount of energy generated is related to the difference in salt concentration of the two solutions – the larger the salinity difference between the two solutions, the more energy can be generated. Blue Energy generates energy without producing CO₂, is easy scalable, 24/7 available and the only “waste” product is brackish water.
Blue Energy is a perfect candidate for base-load energy production and application in the energy-mix.
After testing the technology at the pilot facility on the Afsluitdijk, Redstack now aims at a first demonstration plant in Katwijk (near The Hague), where the salinity gradient is optimal.
Tocardo
In 2018, Tocardo further tested their 1.25 MW tidal power plant in the Eastern Scheldt. Tocardo is now planning a 2 MW successor, also consisting of 5 separate turbines.
Tidal Technology Centre
In 2019, after a delay of one season, the Tidal Technology Centre Grevelingendam plans to open its test facility.
This test facility offers three differently sized channels for low head tidal turbines.