Programme of Development
Blue Tidal Energy (BTE) is developing a viable, efficient, low maintenance turbine to produce electrical energy. The process of proving involves testing scale versions in increasingly realistic environments.
Major areas to prove include:
1. Turbine operation and efficiency
2. Mounting platform
3. Electrical generation & connections to Grid
4. Maintenance requirements
All tests are being carried out by Dr Florent Trarieux of Cranfield University
Test planning strategy
- Test facility selection
- Model design and manufacture
- Test set-up
- Instrumentation
- Data Acquisition
- Data Processing
- Professional video recording.
Test results
A full test programme was arranged in the Ship Tank facility at Qinetiq in Gosport. Three days of intensive testing demonstrated the feasability of the pitching mechanism. Results showed satisfactory efficiency but more testing was necessary to show the full potential.