Author(s): T. Goormans; S. Smets; R. J. Rijke; J. Vanderveken; J. Ellison; R. Notele
Linked Author(s): Toon Goormans
Keywords: No keywords
Abstract: ABSTRACT: Waterwegen en Zeekanaal (W&Z) participated in the European project PRO-TIDE, sponsored by the Interreg IVB North-West Europe program. The main goal of this project was “to increase the use of renewable energy by promoting innovative, sustainable and cost effective solutions for tidal energy[. . . ], in coastal zones and estuaries” . Within PRO-TIDE, W&Z organised, with IMDC providing technical assistance, the testing of different current energy converters. This paper describes the set-up of these tests and the main findings. Three different devices were consecutively tested during 4 weeks. Besides characterizing the performance of the devices, the tests aimed at gaining experience in more practical aspects, such as logistics, installation techniques, and maintenance requirements. It appears that further technological development is required to generate profitable energy from the relatively low velocities in the Sea Scheldt. Despite these low velocities, the Scheldt was found to be a challenging environment to install current energy convertors.
Year: 2016