Wind turbines under water utilise current energy
Strong ocean currents prevail to the west of Cap de la Hague on the English Channel. A French company wants to build a tidal power plant on the seabed here. The turbines, which look like wind turbines, will generate electricity continuously.
At Raz Blanchard, also known as the Strait of Aldernay, one of the strongest tidal currents in Europe flows. At the northwestern end of the French peninsula of Contentin, the tidal current in the English Channel moves northeast. The changing current can be predicted very accurately, which is a great advantage for the planned underwater power plant.
The French company Normandie Hydroliennes wants to build a pilot plant with four tidal turbines under the sea surface about three kilometres west of the coast at Cap de la Hague.
With a total output of 12 megawatts, the turbines with horizontal axes will continuously generate electricity from the power of the ocean currents. The plants are to be in place by 2028 and will supply almost 40 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually.
With regard to possible adverse effects on marine habitats, the company refers to studies that have shown that the sound pressure levels of tidal turbines are well below the disturbance thresholds of marine megafauna and, in addition, are only perceptible within a small radius or fall below the perception thresholds.
In addition, the turbines are more compact than wind turbines with the same output. They require less space and will be installed at a depth of at least 38 metres below the waterline, so that shipping and safety at sea will not be affected.
The NH1 tidal project, to give it its official title, was selected as the winner of the EU’s 2023 innovation fund. Now, funding of €31.3 million will be invested in the project and the further development of the Proteus AR3000 turbines. The NH1 project was selected in particular for its reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, technological innovation, maturity, reproducibility and economic viability.
Source
Der Bericht wurde von der Redaktion “energiezukunft“ (pf) 2025 verfasst – der Artikel darf nicht ohne Genehmigung weiterverbreitet werden! | energiezukunft | Heft 37/2024 | „Flexibler werden – Erneuerbare Energien nutzen statt abregeln“ | Download | Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
