Water2Energy makes tidal turbine testing optimizations in Netherlands

Dutch-based company Water2Energy (W2E) has optimized the test setup at the sluice gate in the Port of Flushing to increase the yield of its next-generation tidal energy turbine under trials at the site.

The 100kW tidal turbine has been installed at the existing sluice gate in the Port of Flushing in October 2021, after a six-month design phase and construction of the turbine.

The W2E turbine technology, representing a new generation of a Darrieus-type water current turbine that features adjustable blades, has been developed as part of the INTERREG 2SEAS ENCORE project, with the Dutch Province of Zeeland also supporting the project.

According to Reinier Rijke, CEO and founder of W2E, the turbine was taken out of operation for a while in March 2022, as the company wanted to optimize the discharge of the water from the Western Scheldt into the canal.

As Offshore Energy understands, the company extended the flowguides to mitigate the loss of energy due to turbulence.

“Now that we have a better view on the currents at the sluice, we can respond to it in a more targeted way in order to achieve maximum yield in the future. After two years, we want to prove that this is a sensible way of generating energy. The turbine is built to last at least 15 years,” Rijke said for EWA – Dutch Energy from Water Association.

Mounted on the steel frame, the vertical axis tidal turbine being tested at the Port of Flushing is able to generate enough electricity to power the operations of the nearby sea locks, or up to 100 households in a predictable pattern, according to W2E.

If the pilot project proves successful, many more applications of W2E’s technology are anticipated in small and large sluices and discharge channels all over the world.

“This is a very attractive form of energy generation for the sea locks. My hope is that there will be more and more showcases like this turbine.

“In this way, we will prove what the power of water can offer to the province and the Netherlands – namely, a predictable and reliable basic energy source in addition to sun and wind, which will reduce the need for energy storage in the future.

“As a shipbuilder and sailor, I know one thing for sure. When you know the power of water, you have faith in tidal energy,” concluded Rijke.

The ENCORE project, short for Energising Coastal Regions with Offshore Renewable Energy, aims to accelerate the development of four offshore renewable energy solutions both in terms of technological innovation and commercial uptake.

Aside from advancing river and tidal current, wave, and floating solar solutions, the €10 million project – led by Bluespring, formerly known as MET-support, will also aim to develop open-source tools and services to facilitate the accelerated uptake of offshore energy solutions for islands, harbors, estuaries and offshore structures with a focus on 2SEAS region, and additional export opportunities.

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