UK
The untapped potential of the UK’s tides could supply up to 10% of the country’s electricity demand. AEL is focussed on making HKS technology an integral part of realising this aim.
The UK has one of the largest tidal stream resources anywhere in the world, with an estimated potential installed capacity of over 10GW for tidal generation technology.
The predictable nature of the tides also means that tidal power generation can be guaranteed, helping to ensure consistency of supply and easing the balancing of the National Grid.
Launched in 2014, the UK Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is a government initiative designed to support the development of low-carbon energy projects by providing financial stability and reducing investment risk.
Since 2021, scheme has ring fenced project values within each Allocation Round for tidal energy projects, with over 28MW awarded in AR6 (September 2024).
Whether it is the flow of a river, or the run of an ocean tide, hydrokinetic technology is needed to harness this resource.
AEL started its own hydrokinetic technology pathway in tidal energy, patenting a seabed mounted Vertical Axis Turbine for the UK tidal market in 2018. But with the CfD scheme not quite ready to specifically support UK tidal at that stage, the company sought to develop and hone its hydrokinetic expertise in the global river market, where it could operate in low-barrier, fast-to-enter markets with accessible grant funding.
Having refined its Vertical Axis Turbine technology through the river market, and secured this IP with further patents, AEL is now looking to focus on the UK tidal market once more. The HKS.t tidal platform will be a 1MW floating system that draws on all the lessons learnt through development of the HKS.r river platform. Concept design of the HKS.t is now complete, and patenting underway, with detailed design targeted for 2025.
