GKinetic Energy Ltd has successfully delivered its first unit (battery storage) to Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland.
By pairing battery storage technology with efficient hydrokinetic turbines, the project aims to unlock a largely untapped renewable energy resource and subsequent huge market opportunity.
Leading developers of hydrokinetic solutions, GKinetic Energy Ltd, have been busy over the past few months finalising an optimised design for their first market-ready 12kW unit.
The first unit has now been successfully delivered to Strangford Lough where it will be deployed as part of the VATTS project, funded and supported by CASE (Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy) and Invest Northern Ireland. The project is led by Queens University Belfast with supporting partners Grants Electrical Services (GES) and The Electric Storage Company (TESC). The VATTS project is an ambitious that will demonstrate unique vertical axis tidal turbines in Strangford narrows, Northern Ireland. By pairing battery storage technology with efficient hydrokinetic turbines, the project aims to unlock a largely untapped renewable energy resource and subsequent huge market opportunity. For further information see the IDTechEx report on Wave, Tidal and Hydro Power 1W-10MW 2018-2038.
Over the next few months, the turbine will undergo a series of detailed studies and tests before being redeployed to Limerick as part of the CityxChange project. It is hoped that the live data and ongoing studies as part of the VATTS project will enhance and accelerate the granting of planning permission for deploying 3 identical units in the River Shannon.
