Underwater turbine spinning for 6 years off Scotland’s coast is a breakthrough for tidal energy

Submerged in approximately 40 meters (44 yards) of water off the coast of Scotland, a turbine has been rotating for over six years to harness the energy of ocean tides for electricity — showcasing the technology’s commercial viability.

Maintaining a large turbine in the challenging marine environment for such an extended period is a significant achievement that paves the way for larger tidal energy farms and increases appeal to investors, as stated by Ocean Energy Europe. The longevity of the turbines in the water eliminates the need for frequent costly maintenance, making tidal energy projects more financially feasible.

Although tidal energy technologies are still in the early stages of commercial development, their potential for generating clean energy is substantial. Marine energy, derived from tides, currents, waves, or temperature variances, is identified as the largest untapped renewable energy source globally by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The MeyGen tidal energy project in Scotland boasts four turbines producing 1.5 megawatts each, collectively powering up to 7,000 homes annually. SKF, a Swedish company, announced that the bearings and seals on one of the turbines have surpassed the 6 1/2-year mark without requiring unplanned maintenance, marking a significant milestone for tidal energy.

Ocean Energy Europe’s CEO, Rémi Gruet, emphasized that achieving six years of continuous operation in water is a major step forward for tidal energy. Scotland and the United Kingdom are at the forefront of tidal energy, with the MeyGen site successfully supplying electricity to the grid for almost eight years.

Despite the progress made by projects like MeyGen, there are still challenges to overcome before tidal energy can be widely adopted, including regulatory hurdles, environmental impacts, and conflicts with other ocean users. However, the success of the MeyGen project in proving the durability of turbines in seawater is a positive sign for the future of tidal energy.

Fraser Johnson, operations and maintenance manager at MeyGen, highlighted the difficulty of adapting land-based wind turbine technology for underwater use. The record-setting turbine is expected to continue operating for at least another year before requiring maintenance.

The MeyGen site, situated in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Firth, plans to expand its turbine capacity in 2030 to generate more electricity. With the potential for as many as 130 turbines in the future, MeyGen aims to lead the way in large-scale tidal energy projects worldwide.

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