A detailed overview of the fundamental principles behind the main technological solutions to convert tidal stream ocean energy into electricity will be given, along with the key methodologies to evaluate the tidal resource, device site suitability and device performance and loading. In addition, hydrodynamic modelling techniques (both numerical and experimental), a review of the different leading concepts and an account of the industry’s progress to full-scale deployment will also be covered.

Course Background

Garrad Hassan has been providing independent technical advice to the renewable energy sector for more than 20 years and has actively participated in the evolution of both onshore and offshore wind. The marine renewables team, formed in 2005, built on the accumulated in-house experience, tools and methodologies, offers services to the marine renewables sector which span from technical due diligence (owner’s or bank’s engineer) to resource assessment, and include numerical modelling, support to experimental test rounds, and strategic studies.

The course will provide a unique account of R&D and field experience in the tidal stream energy sector, which can be used as a starting point for those who are new to the field or who wish to define a development strategy for their concept/company.

Mat Thomson will lead the training. Mat has five years experience in this field, in both technology development and resource assessment, and in the development of design tools.

Course Outline

•Introduction
•Tidal Stream Fundamentals
•Characterization of the Tidal Stream Energy Resource
•Modelling of Tidal Stream Energy Converters as single devices and with an array
•Full-Scale Concepts
•R&D roadmap: from the computer to the tank; from the tank to the sea
•Future Perspectives