Wave energy testing off Alderney by September

Friday, 7 June 2024 12:40

The CEO of Spiralis Energy says talks are positive and he's confident their Archimedes Screw device can be in the water by the autumn.

Spiralis Energy has the ambition to be a wave energy supplier to the National Grid.

Guy Levene says to be able to apply for government contracts it needs to prove its device, with foils, can operate in harsh winter seas:

"We know the technology works. We're going into operational testing, to make sure we can operate the kit and that it survives. What we're now doing is putting a full size unit into the water and make sure we can take the power ashore.

"It's an amazing tidal stream resource, the best in Europe. While the policy is no less stringent than the UK, it's much more agile. So we're able to have good conversations with government, and get decisions made."

He says discussions have been positive, and the States of Alderney and Guernsey have been supportive:

"We're looking to put a test unit into the water in September. We're going through the consenting process at the moment, and the food and environmental protection people have a say on this, but we're not anticipating any problems."

Guy Levene says the unit will be temporarily anchored, probably in the Alderney Race, but that's to be decided. He says the benefits for Alderney are obvious:

"Local jobs, local interest and we are talking to Alderney about the potential for us to provide them with tidal power."

He says the Archimedes Screw is low impact:

"No effect on the fish, no effect on marine mammals, the wash dissipates in a scale to length, no effect on the sea bed, we're a very environmentally solution to generating power."