Spin-Out Challenge: Wind Firm Vies to Develop World's Most Efficient Tidal Generators
Posted on: Monday, 5 September 2005, 12:00 CDT
ONE of Scotland's top wind energy companies is developing a new range of generators powered by rivers and the tide.
Renewable Devices, which was set up three years ago by David Anderson and Charlie Silverton, developed the UK's first wind-power generator that could be fitted on the roof of an ordinary house.
The pair, aided by engineer Barry Trapp, have set up RD Marine, with a brief to produce the world's most efficient tidal electricity generator.
RD's generators use a blade design, which Anderson said could squeeze up to 10 per cent more energy out of flowing water than competing systems. He said: "We have gained a lot of expertise in extracting energy from moving fluids, from air to water, oil and even sewage."
The generators are designed to need little or no maintenance and are made from low-cost materials. They will be floated in places such as the Pentland Firth, between Caithness and Orkney, where tidal flows are at their strongest.
Each machine will generate 500 kilowatts, enough to power 50,000 homes. Anderson said between 200,000 and 300,000 tidal power generators could be required worldwide over the next few years.
In an unusual twist, miniature prototypes of the machines will be sold as river power generators, rather like traditional river mills. These devices - at around one 10th of the full size - should produce enough power for two or three homes and will be sold to householders who live near flowing water.
RD Marine is supported by the high-growth team at Scottish Enterprise as part of the agency's Spin-Out Challenge, launched this year in association with Scotland on Sunday and some of the country's leading business advisers.
The Midlothian company has drawn up what Anderson describes as an "aggressive" development timetable: the prototypes should be available within a year, with the full-scale units in three years.
RD's wind energy unit, Renewable Devices Swift Turbines, attracted investment from utility group Scottish & Southern Energy, which has developed a strong position in renewable energy. In addition, SSE has placed orders worth GBP 9m with the company.
Anderson said: "We have a track record of making renewable energy technology accessible. Nobody put wind turbines on roofs before."
The first company to be admitted to the Spin-Out Challenge was Scott-Track, which is developing a system to help trains avoid railway maintenance works. Three further companies will feature in Scotland on Sunday in the coming weeks, and there will be updates on their progress.
Source: Scotland on Sunday
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