UK-German alliance turns tides

 
Sustainable Marine Energy (SME) played its part in the commemoration of the Battle of Jutland this week in Orkney by showcasing a joint British-German innovation – the PLAT-O tidal energy device.

Whilst German and British dignitaries, including The Princess Royal, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and German President Joachim Gauck, commemorated the Battle of Jutland in Orkney, visitors to HMS Bulwark at nearby Hatston Pier, in Kirkwall, would have seen a great symbol of how much things have changed between the two countries over the last 100 years.

A joint British-German innovation, PLAT-O, designed and built in the UK with the tidal turbines provided by Schottel Hydro, a German company, was on display for German and British dignitaries who have visited HMS Bulwark.

Jason Hayman, Managing Director of SME, said: “As an innovative British marine engineering company, with a lot of our team having worked across the marine and maritime sector, including in the Royal Navy, we wanted to show how far things have come in 100 years.”

Niels Lange, Managing Director of Schottel Hydro, said: “We believe that the United Kingdom has the best tidal resource, a great marine engineering tradition and capability, and a strong future in marine energy. We are delighted that 100 years after the Battle of Jutland that we, as a German company, are providing our technology, skills and resources as part of this new peaceful industry, one that will address the global issue of climate change. We hope to increase our investment into the UK in the coming years, building on our co-operation in Sustainable Marine Energy and working with a range of UK companies.”

As reported earlier, SME is preparing to deploy their PLAT-O floating tidal platform equipped with Schottel Hydro turbines at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) this summer.

Earlier this year, SME bought 16 SIT turbines with a capacity of 62 kW each from Schottel Hydro which will be delivered to SME over the course of two years.

The company also secured £4.5 million to start the deployment at EMEC from the existing investors joined by Schottel Hydro.