THEME 3: MARINE ENERGY RESOURCES

Using tidal power to produce electricity is the concept behind the Hydrohelix Company which has brought together eight businesses and research centres under the umbrella of the MARENERGIE / SABELLA project. The project partners are preparing to instal the first 200 kW hydrogenerator – a large-diametre turbine linked to an electric generator – which will transform the kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity and then convey it by cable to the coast. After a trial period, it will be possible to connect a 1megawatt production unit comprising five hydrogenerators to the network.

The use of tidal currents, which produce predictable levels of energy as they are influenced by the phases of the moon and not subject to the vagaries of the weather, is just one response to the issues of declining fossil fuel stocks, diversification of energy sources and exploiting forms of renewable energy which do not generate greenhouse gases. The MARENERGIE / SABELLA project aims not only to develop new French technology for use along our own coasts, but also for deployment abroad.

© Hydrohelix Energies

MARENERGIE / SABELLA PROJECT PARTNERS

Companies

• Hydrohelix Energies in Quimper (29) – The two founders of this company, which is positioned to develop hydrogenerator technology, are piloting the project.

• DOURMAP in Brest (29) produces electrical equipment and installations for major locations, such as the Brest, Rennes and Nantes University Hospitals, Cité de la Musique in Athens, etc.

• CIB-Meunier, based in Brest (29), is the industrial boiler-making division of the Meunier group, responsible for the construction and integration of the turbine.

• In Vivo Environnement in Fouesnant (29) is a coastal oceanography consultancy which undertakes technical and scientific studies in the marine field and designs management plans for natural sites.

• SAIPEM, based at Saint-Quentin in Yvelines (78), is a subsidiary of the ENI oil group and is one of the world leaders in major energy projects, particularly relating to offshore operations.

• SOFRESID ENGINEERING is an engineering company based in Relecq-Kerhuon (29), working in the oil and gas, shipbuilding and industrial sectors.

• Institut de la corrosion in Brest (29), a subsidiary of the Swedish company KIMAB, specialises in marine environment corrosion and biofouling.

Research centres

• IRENAV in Lanvéoc (29), the Institut de recherche de l’Ecole navale (Naval Academy Research Institute), is mainly orientated towards the naval environment, issues of sustainable development in maritime environments and, in particular, hydrodynamics in energy transfer.

• UBO in Brest (29) – Part of the university’s technology institute, LEMI (Mechanical and Electronic Engineering Lab) is participating in the electrical engineering studies.

• EGIM in Marseille (13), the Ecole d’ingénieurs généralistes (General Engineering College and part of the Ecole Centrale de Marseille Group) is helping draw up specifications for the tank tests.