Tidal Energy Summit returns to London
The next five years are critical for tidal energy device developers to get their installation strategies locked down, their turbines in the water and to prove both the technical and economic viability of their technology.
Global interest in Tidal Energy is growing and demonstration tidal projects are already producing energy in Europe, America and Asia.
With the first multi-megawatt arrays in the pipeline from the Open Hydro, Hammerfest Strom and MeyGen, it is clear the industry is moving from strength to strength.
However, device developers who are not yet at the forefront of the industry now need to prove the commercial viability of their technology through large scale deployment. For the vast majority, this can only be done with a helping hand from the government, involvement from the end users (the utilities) or collaboration with large scale industrial outfits with large balance sheets. Therein lies the Catch 22, how do you attract investment to a technology that is not yet proven on a commercial scale?
Therefore, even before installation begins, there are a number of significant challenges that need to be addressed if the industry is going to successfully mass deploy tidal arrays in some of the harshest conditions known to man. To fully capitalise on the potential for tidal stream, a predicted maximum of 406MW by 2020 and 2,160MW by 2030, the global tidal community needs to share its experiences during the installation of projects and discuss what lessons were learnt , thereby avoiding escalating costs.
This is not limited to the turbine device itself but also the associated infrastructure (foundation, cabling, electrical system, and onshore works) which accounts for some 60% of the overall project cost. Recent reports state that marine energy could be cost competitive with onshore wind and nuclear power by 2025, but much like the offshore wind sector 10 years ago, the first projects need to be installed.
The next five years are therefore critical for device developers to get their installation strategies locked down, their turbines in the water and proving both the technical and economic viability of their technology.
It is in this context that ITES 2011, the 5th International Tidal Energy Summit and Awards takes place on 21 – 23 November 2011 at The Victoria Park Plaza in London. The ITES agenda reflects the evolution of the industry
as device developers look to commercialise their projects through successful and cost effective multi-megawatt deployment. The event will cater for everyone in the tidal energy sector, relevant to all employees and job titles, with dedicated conference tracks and plenary sessions outlining critical solutions to the major corporate, installation, operation, maintenance, engineering, technical, site and project development challenges.
Focused multiple conference tracks provide detailed, results orientated case studies and real life experience. The speaker line-up includes representatives from MeyGen, Tidal Generation Ltd (Rolls-Royce), Marine Current Turbines, Voith Hydro, OpenHydro, Atlantis Resources, Hammerfest Strom, Pulse Tidal, Minesto, Tidal Energy, EMEC, FORCE, and the UK Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change.
Following on from its success in 2010, the International Tidal Energy Awards Ceremony will return this year. Over 18 hours of onsite networking time has been scheduled into ITES this year to ensure delegates get the face to face time needed with the people they want to meet. The Tidal Energy Summit’s Exhibition Zone will display a range of products, services and expertise available to serve the tidal energy industry.
For further information visit: www.tidaltoday.com/london
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