Intertek Appointed as an Industrial Partner on Innovative Tidal Stream Turbine Project

Intertek, a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, announces that Intertek Energy & Water has been invited by Cardiff University to become an industrial partner to support a three-year tidal stream turbine research project.

This project, which will also involve a number of international partners, will examine various tidal stream turbine array configurations for layout optimisation and develop operational procedures to mitigate the impacts of extreme loading patterns.

Intertek’s research experts will employ both experimental and numerical analyses to ensure that the results and findings are transferable to real-life applications. The project will provide invaluable information to developers to help safeguard tidal turbine arrays from being damaged by currents, waves or wind, while at the same time, delivering the lowest cost of energy.

Intertek has many years’ experience in marine consulting and will, therefore, be able to impart knowledge and provide expertise on a wide-range of tidal energy-related areas, including field surveys, geophysical and geotechnical assessments, hydrodynamic modelling, metocean assessments, geographical information systems (GIS), as well as cabling and environmental considerations.

Dr. Paul Evans, Intertek Energy and Water expert, said: This project has real potential to move the UK’s tidal energy industry forward from its current early-stage status to a future where full-scale, grid-connected arrays form a key part of the UK’s energy mix. Our role as an industrial partner supports our vision to be a leading adviser for the development of innovative clean energy tidal technologies for the benefit of current and future generations. To deliver this vision, we must stay at the forefront of research and we are privileged to be working with leading universities in this field.”

Professor Tim O’Doherty, Principal Investigator on the project, said: “Given the current status of tidal stream turbine technology, it is vitally important to have a commercial presence to help understand the industry’s requirements. It is also crucial that collaborative research is undertaken into device development and the environmental impact of deploying arrays of tidal turbines. This project will be based in Wales, a country that has vast potential to become a major player in the global marine energy industry, which will help ensure the success of this project.”