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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tidal energy system on full power | Tidal energy system on full power |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A tidal turbine near the mouth of Strangford Lough has begun producing electricity at full capacity for the first time. | A tidal turbine near the mouth of Strangford Lough has begun producing electricity at full capacity for the first time. |
| The SeaGen system now generates 1.2MW, the highest level of power produced by a tidal stream system anywhere in the world. | |
| The system works like an "underwater windmill" but with rotors driven by tidal currents rather than the wind. | The system works like an "underwater windmill" but with rotors driven by tidal currents rather than the wind. |
| It has been undergoing commissioning trials since May. | It has been undergoing commissioning trials since May. |
| SeaGen will now move towards full-operating mode for periods of up to 22 hours a day, with regular inspections and performance testing carried out. | SeaGen will now move towards full-operating mode for periods of up to 22 hours a day, with regular inspections and performance testing carried out. |
| The power generated by the system is being purchased by Irish energy company, ESB Independent, for its customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic. | The power generated by the system is being purchased by Irish energy company, ESB Independent, for its customers in Northern Ireland and the Republic. |
| The turbine has the capacity to generate power to meet the average electricity needs of around 1000 homes. | The turbine has the capacity to generate power to meet the average electricity needs of around 1000 homes. |
| Martin Wright, managing director of SeaGen developers, Marine Current Turbines, said that having the system generating at full power was an important milestone. | Martin Wright, managing director of SeaGen developers, Marine Current Turbines, said that having the system generating at full power was an important milestone. |
| "It demonstrates, for the first time, the commercial potential of tidal energy as a viable alternative source of renewable energy," he said. | "It demonstrates, for the first time, the commercial potential of tidal energy as a viable alternative source of renewable energy," he said. |
| "As the first mover in tidal stream turbine development, we have a significant technical lead over all rival tidal technologies that are under development. | "As the first mover in tidal stream turbine development, we have a significant technical lead over all rival tidal technologies that are under development. |
| "There are no other tidal turbines of truly commercial scale; all the competitive systems so far tested at sea are quite small, most being less than 10% the rotor area of SeaGen." | "There are no other tidal turbines of truly commercial scale; all the competitive systems so far tested at sea are quite small, most being less than 10% the rotor area of SeaGen." |