Green light for Neptune tidal stream device

It has been issued with a Transport and Works Act Order following a decision by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to allow deployment of the Neptune Proteus NP1000 demonstrator and the installation of a shore bridge in the Humber.

The device, which is on course to be deployed during the autumn, is to provide power for The Deep submarium, Hull’s successful millennium visitor attraction.

The 150 ton Neptune Proteus was towed along Hull’s William Wright Dock in July 2010 and generated levels of electrical power output beyond the minimum commercial requirement. It has since undergone final fitting out and electrical installation.

Glenn Aitken, finance director of Neptune Renewable Energy, said that the company was pleased that all the vital elements were now in place.

“Gaining the Transport and Works Act Order was a complex procedure in which Neptune Renewable Energy had to demonstrate its technology met the exacting standards required by the DECC and it is excellent news that this has now been issued.

“As the Humber region develops into a leading UK centre for renewable energy, we need to raise awareness of the potential for tidal power business as a significant contributor. It has some clear advantages over wind power including being a totally predictable and continuous source of clean energy as well as being visually unobtrusive.”

August also saw the installation of the electrical equipment at the control room for the Neptune Proteus located at The Deep. Further work on this will be carried out over the following month.

Colin Brown, chief executive of The Deep, added, “The prospect of being able to use energy harnessed from the Humber takes us to a whole new level and is entirely fitting for us as an ocean themed visitor attraction.”

Neptune Renewable Energy is presently developing its first commercial array of five advanced Neptune Proteus NP1500s which are also planned for deployment in the Humber and will provide energy for 5,000 homes.

The company is a member of the industry group Team Humber Marine Alliance, along with Point Engineering Ltd and Humber Work Boats Ltd.