New concept marine power plant proves viability off Northern Ireland 13 November 2013

Minesto's Deep Green 'underwater kite' marine power plant is now producing electricity in the waters off Northern Ireland – a world first for a system designed to harness low velocity sea currents.

"This is a breakthrough for the entire renewable energy industry," says Minesto's CEO Anders Jansson, adding that ocean trials verify the ability to unlock ocean currents as a renewable energy source.

The trials, which have involved a 1:4 scale Deep Green power plant in Strangford Lough, prove that a surface-mounted installation – a concept that is directly transferable to full commercial installations in ocean currents – works, he says..

"Our technology is different from other marine power plants," comments Jansson. "It has been a long fight to get to the point where we are, but when you have what we have, it is worth it."

And he adds: "We will produce renewable electricity with high reliability at a cost that will compete, or even be lower, than conventional energy sources."

The Deep Green demonstrator has a three-metre wing and is tethered to an offshore control room in Strangford Lough. Jansson explains that a specially fitted RIB boat enables safe and cost effective offshore operations.

"To date, the challenge has been that the currents are too slow and the sites too deep for most available marine power plants," comments Jansson.

"Deep Green solves that problem. Minesto's technology will contribute to make countries like the USA, Japan and Taiwan carbon neutral and independent energy producers, instead of hugely dependent on fossil based and imported energy."

The first full-scale installation of Deep Green is now planned for 2015 also possibly somewhere in the UK.

Brian Tinham

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