Tees barrage to test tidal energy

Sea machine makes waves in Europe

The River Tees is being used to try out technology which could boost the development of tidal energy.

A special testing chamber on the Tees Barrage at Stockton-on-Tees will allow prototypes to be tested using real rather than simulated tidal conditions.

This would indicate how the models would operate once scaled up for use in the open seas.

The New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) has developed the facility, the first of its kind in Europe.

The testing chamber is 98ft (30 m) long and 13ft (4m) deep and is attached to a lock on the barrage.

Testing has previously involved the use of laboratory tanks with prototypes being moved backwards and forwards to simulate tides.

Jamie Grimwade, marine renewable technical specialist at NaREC, said: "Tidal renewables are well on their way to becoming commercial.

"NaREC is in a great position to give this market sector the support it needs to fast track the testing and evaluation of concepts in a big way."