CoRMaT Tidal Energy Converter

Tidal turbine technology designed to generate 500 kW (0.5 MW) of power  

The technology

The CoRMaT tidal energy converter is a contra-rotating turbine, suitable for deployment in water depths of 8 to 500m.

Formed in our Energy Systems Research Unit within the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, the CorMaT-designed and enabled turbine employs two closely-spaced contra-rotating rotors, which drive the rotor and rotating stator sections of an electrical generator. The first rotor has three blades rotating in a clockwise direction while the second rotor, located directly behind the first, has four blades rotating in an anti-clockwise direction. Buoyancy chambers at the front and rear sections of the nacelle are tuned to achieve neutral buoyancy. The turbine is connected to a tensioned mooring at a point in the water column where the flow velocity is greatest and surface wave action minimised.

Stage of development

The device has progressed through systematic technology readiness level development steps and has successfully generated electricity in a marine tidal setting.

Benefits

The CoRMaT solution, when compared with similar tidal power generators:

  • is lighter and simpler than similar tidal power generators, making it cheaper to produce
  • its contra-rotating delivers higher efficiency and requires less structure to react torque than typical tidal energy generators
  • the power-to-cost ratio will be the most cost-effective system for all tidal sites with water depths between 10 and 500 meters
  • no active cooling or sealing mechanisms are required, as the generator and bearings are exposed to the elements