Study on Tidal Turbines Reveals Key Insights for Future Energy

Researchers have conducted a study on the O2 tidal turbine in Scotland, highlighting how tidal flows and environmental factors influence its performance and placement, SciTech Daily reported yesterday.

The findings, published in Nature Communications, stress the importance of site-specific assessments for optimizing tidal energy installations along the UK coastline, which is expected to see significant growth in renewable energy projects.

Utilizing aerial drone technology and boat surveys, the team mapped complex tidal flows around the O2 turbine, which floats on the sea surface and is capable of powering 2,000 homes annually. The study identified that tidal currents exceeding 8 knots could affect turbine performance and downstream impacts on marine habitats.