UK tidal energy technology developer wraps up hydrodynamic blade testing

UK-based tidal energy developer Inyanga Marine Energy Group has completed hydrodynamic testing of the passive pitch unit for the patented and scalable HydroWing solution, designed for cost-effective tidal stream energy generation.

HydroWing secured the largest tidal energy project in the UK as part of the government’s contracts for difference (CfD) scheme under Allocation Round 6. The company is now set to deploy a 20 MW tidal energy project at Morlais in Wales, alongside other international ventures. 

According to Inyanga Marine Energy, the results confirmed the performance of HydroWing’s blade rotor, which uses a self-adjusting pitch regulation system developed over two years by the company’s research and development (R&D) team.

Richard Parkinson, CEO of Inyanga Marine Energy Group, said: “These exciting test results mark a major milestone in our mission to deliver low cost, efficient and reliable tidal energy arrays. Our engineering team have excelled in delivering a game-changing turbine and blade solution which doubles annual energy production, making our Morlais 20MW project highly investable.”

Inyanga Marine Energy has two divisions – HydroWing, which focuses on tidal energy technology development, and Inyanga Maritime, which delivers offshore engineering and installation. Hydrodynamic testing was conducted at the Kelvin Hydrodynamics Laboratory, University of Strathclyde, Scotland. 

“With this new pitch regulation system, the blade rotors can now scale to twice the swept area, whilst ensuring safety and efficiency, even in the harshest ocean conditions. This technology advance unlocks new possibilities for harnessing marine energy at a larger scale and paves the way for future innovations in predictable sustainable power generation,” added Parkinson.

“The passive pitch mechanism not only regulates the output of the device but protects the device from adverse conditions such as wave loadings, grid loss and storm surges. Passive pitch has major benefits over active pitch in terms of reliability, cost and load damping, while also achieving increased energy yield.”

The project benefits from the IDCORE Program, through which HydroWing has engaged two engineers for their EngD thesis. According to Lead Turbine Engineer, George Dadd: “The tests on the passive pitch technology have behaved exactly as calculated, validating the ‘proof of concept’. We will now continue the validation process with a full scale test rig.”

HydroWing is described as a simple, cost-effective method for generating tidal stream energy. It consists of a structure that rests on the seabed and ‘wings’ with turbines attached, which are easily lowered into place. These turbines work in both directions, generating power with the incoming and outgoing tides, and are economical to produce in large quantities.

In January 2024, Inyanga Marine Energy Group opened a new office in Wales to support the development of the 10 MW HydroWing tidal stream energy project at Morlais. The Morlais HydroWing project is scheduled for deployment in 2027.