Neptune Renewable Energy Seeks Manufacturing Partner

Neptune Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL) - based in North Ferriby, East Yorkshire, England - announced that, following the successful completion of a series of in-water tests on the multi-million pound full-scale demonstrator of its world-leading Proteus NP1000 tidal stream power generator, it is now seeking a trade partner, which could be a shipyard or heavy engineering concern, who can demonstrate the capability to fabricate and build future production devices.

Weighing more than 150 tonnes and 20 m in length with a beam of 14 m, the Proteus NP1000 consists of steel buoyancy hulls, a vertically mounted turbine with a 6m x 6m rotor, and computer controlled flow vanes within a Venturi duct. When deployed, despite its size, the floating pontoon design means that the Proteus is largely unobtrusive, compared to many other energy generation techniques,  with more than 80 per cent of its bulk always hidden from view under the water. This low environmental footprint has now been approved by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. When optimised for the tidal stream, Neptune's engineers believe, based on the dock test data, that the Proteus NP1000 will be able generate at least 1000 MWh/year. To put this into context the  projected output would be enough to meet the energy needs of more than five hundred homes.

A key landmark in the recent testing process was the powering-up and generation of electricity as proof of the commercial potential of the device's power curve. Tow testing was carried out in three phases during August, September and October in Hull's Albert Dock. The third set of experiments provided  the final, critical, 'proof of concept' hurdle and means that the pioneering device will now be prepared for commercial deployment in early 2011 at Sammy’s Point in the Humber. The electricity generated will be used to power The Deep Submarium to further develop its 'green-energy' operations.

Commented Nigel Petrie, Chairman, Neptune Renewable Energy Ltd (NREL): "We are delighted to have successfully come through the in-water testing phase for the Proteus Demonstrator which paves the way for the device to be commissioned shortly and installed, with the first electricity delivered in 2011. Having reached this key milestone, at Neptune we are now looking to identify a trade partner who is able to demonstrate that they have capability to work with us to manufacture and deliver future devices. Potential partners should possess strong, large scale fabrication and assembly skills, using steel, composite and plastic materials, possibly also with experience in the marine sector.  Following on from this, we are also seeking equity providers to work with in order to help fund a series of arrays of the tidal stream power generators which are planned for the Humber in 2011 and 2012."

Neptune sees tidal streams as a largely untapped resource where there is a tremendous opportunity, working with its partners, for future growth using the latest technology like the Proteus. A major advantage of tidal stream power according to the company is the potential to deliver a predictable source of renewable energy compared to more variable, less consistent, options such as wind - something which is a key consideration when it comes to building-up generating capacity.

www.neptunerenewableenergy.com