Dutch company secures close to €5 million for tidal power technology
Author: Amir Garanovic
Dutch company SeaQurrent has closed a multi-million euro funding round, securing support from major organizations for the development of its tidal energy technology and projects. SeaQurrent is developing an innovative tidal energy conver, the TidalKite. Since 2016 and various scale model tests – at MARIN and in the Wadden Sea - SeaQurrent is now working towards a demonstration of the fourth model of the TidalKite at Ameland. A multi-wing underwater kite – measuring 9 by 12 meters – TidalKite can generate enough electricity to supply an equivalent of 700 Dutch households with energy annually, according to SeaQurrent. TidalKite power plant will consist of series of underwater kites, each anchored to a monopile in the seabed with a high-tech cable. ‘Flying’ underwater across the current, the traction force generated by the TidalKite drives a hydro motor, which in turn drives a generator, generating green electricity to the grid.