Advisian to conduct world-first trial in tidal technology

05 December 2016

Advisian announces it will conduct a world-first trial to develop a technology known as Tidal Turbine Reef (TTR). Advisian will undertake a feasibility study for the development of the novel tidal energy system, testing the viability of the TTR as a reliable energy source that can be integrated into the Australian electricity network.

A single device is expected to be capable of producing 2MW of renewable energy, enough energy to power more than 300 Australian homes.

The TTR is a design developed by Advisian to harness the abundant tidal energy resource surrounding the Australian coastlines in an economically attractive manner. The concept is specifically designed for the marine environment, to mitigate the high CAPEX and OPEX costs associated with the industry. Similar to the oil and gas installation methodology, the device is manufactured onshore and floated into position. Once in place, maintenance costs and servicing risk are dramatically reduced as all work occurs in a dry environment as a result of the innovative design.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing $280,000 of funding support. Advisian believes that the overall outcomes of this TTR installation will significantly improve our understanding of the viability of this technology.

SCHOTTEL HYDRO and EcoFin Solutions will be working with Advisian on the project. The SCHOTTEL Group is a leader in propulsion systems for boats, and having recently diversified with SCHOTTEL HYDRO into the marine renewables industry, bring their proven technology to this project. EcoFin Solutions deliver financial and economic viability solutions for the sustainable energy industry.

Bill Barker, Advisian’s Project Director for the new trial, stated “Advisian is increasingly looking to develop our knowledge of innovative technology in the renewable energy space, and we look forward to partnering with ARENA, and other like-minded organisations, into the future on similar projects."

The project begins this month and is expected to be completed in 2017.