CGEN Engineering have been testing their fully marinised, next generation modular electrical generator for tidal energy devices over the past few months at the Marine Energy Test Area’s (META) Warrior Way test site in the Cleddau Estuary. The trials have proven the system’s performance in real tidal operating conditions and elevated the technology’s TRL from 5 to 7. The project also demonstrated the generator’s manufacturability and transportability and that it is a cost-effective solution for seamless plug and play assembly onsite with an existing tidal turbine.
CGEN’s technology uses a modular electromagnetic converter to transform slow, powerful renewable energy – like tides or waves – into clean, affordable electricity. CGEN generator systems are ideal for wind, tidal, and wave energy applications due to their lightweight design, ease of transport, and simple maintenance. The modular design makes the generator easy to scale and repair, allowing it to be built to any required size. It also reduces environmental impact, as components can be more easily recovered, reused, and recycled. These features help cut costs by up to 30% and reduce overall lifetime expenses by around 20%.
In October, CGEN and META were joined by renewable energy developers for an exclusive event to showcase CGEN’s next-generation modular generator and meet the engineering team. A vessel sail-by gave developers the opportunity to see CGEN’s generator in the water and view operational data streamed from the system.
Funded by Innovate UK, this project has worked with and used Swansea University’s tidal turbine and Rudders Boatyard’s test platform.
Joe Burchell, Managing Director at CGEN, said:
“The TIDEGEN project marks the successful completion of our first major programme as an independent company. We set ambitious goals from the outset, and the project has been both highly challenging and hugely rewarding for us. It’s given us valuable experience in marine operations and generator deployment, and it’s been great working with the partners who helped make it happen.”
Lars Fisher, Electrical and Electronic Engineer at CGEN, said:
“We have learned a great deal during the TideGen project, particularly in terms of marine operations and system design. With the experience and skills gained and developed within the team, we’re now in a strong position for future projects in the tidal energy sector whether that means more grant-funded R&D, or commercial engagements. Value from the project can also be brought to the table in conversation with investors, evidencing our team and technology’s capabilities. Learnings from the project are being incorporated into our design and project management practices already, and we’re looking forward to operating one of our generators again soon in real-world, challenging conditions.”
Saul Young, Operations Manager at META, said:
“We were very pleased C-GEN chose to test at META’s pre-consented tidal stream site, which offers easy access and flows up to 1.5m/s. The project exemplified the valuable local partners available at META including Swansea University and Rudders Boatyard who were both instrumental to the project’s success. We wish C-GEN all the best with their next stage of development and commercialisation.”