Oceanflow Energy is currently developing a 35kW Evopod (Oceanflow 35) based on a scaled up version of the unit that has been successfully tested in Strangford Narrows. The 35kW unit can be upgraded to 55kW for faster flowing sites and will be available as a grid connected unit or for off-grid supply of electricity for heat or power.

Oceanflow Energy is also developing a twin-turbine version of its Evopod semi-submerged tethered platform. A 1/40th scale model has been tested in Newcastle University’s flume tank with the support of a NEEIC grant. At full scale the unit would be fitted with twin 1.2MW rated generators, each coupled to a 16m diameter three-bladed turbine. The unit would generate its combined rated output of 2.4MW in flow speeds of 3.2m/s or above.

In December 2007 Ocean Flow was awarded a research grant by One NorthEast, the Regional Development Agency for the North East of England, to support the testing of a 1/10th scale Evopod and its mooring system in real tidal stream conditions of Strangford Narrows near Queen’s University Belfast’s Portaferry Marine Laboratory. Testing of the 10th scale unit started in June 2008 and has continued through into 2009. During 2010 the installation is being extended to allow the device to be grid connected at the Marine Laboratory.

Demonstration of the 1/10th scale Evopod followed on from the "Proof of Concept" phase that was carried out in 2005/06 with the support of a DTI Research Grant (administered by One NorthEast). This work was carried out by Ocean Flow with support from the North East Business Innovation Centre (BIC) and the University of Newcastle’s School of Marine Science and Technology (MAST) and their Resource Centre for Innovation and Design (RCID) completed in June 2006.

Collaboration & Support