Tidal power project progresses

A project to generate power from tidal turbines in Cook Strait expects to have a pilot programme underway by 2011.

Christchurch scientists David Beach and Chris Bathurst are applying for Government funding this month and also hope to secure private investor funds to enable a turbine to be built and placed 90m deep off Sinclair Head on Wellington's south coast.

"To be up and running by 2010 would be good, but 2011 is much more likely," Mr Beach said.

The one turbine, which he said was capable of generating up to 1MW of electricity, would be part of a two or three year pilot project to establish its impact on the environment and the environment's impact on it.

The turbine would be anchored to the sea floor to harness the tidal currents in the strait. The turbines float midway between the sea floor and the surface.

The multi-million dollar research project receivedresource consent the Greater Wellington Regional Council

in April.

Cook Strait was one of the most exceptional sources of tidal energy in the world because of the depth and width of the waterway, Mr Beach said.

The 23km wide channel reaches 250m at its deepest.

Using tidal turbines would not directly bring down power prices, he said, but it would reduce the need for exposure onto the volatile and expensive spot market during peak winter demand.

It would also be reliable as how much power would be generated and when would be known in advance through tide charts, unlike hydro or wind generated power.

Mr Beach was confident the programme would receive funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's Marine Energy Deployment Fund.The fund was set up to encourage the development of marine energy in New Zealand, by supporting the deployment of generating devices that convert wave or tidal stream energy into electricity.

Once it was proven there were no detrimental effects on the environment, Mr Beach said they would apply for resource consent and "discuss the options" with the Government and power companies.

The turbine would be made either in New Zealand or in Europe.

Cook Strait had a "pessimistic capacity" of 7000 turbines, but that many would provide much more power than needed, he said.