ENERGY FROM SURFACE TIDAL STREAMS
AN 'INNOVATIVE' CONCEPT
Please view on a desktop laptop or iPad. Constantly updated.
Unrestrained, any vessel will drift between 20km and 70km on one tide.
Restrained by the resistance of Generators or Energy Storage Flywheels 'power' can be extracted.
'ABUNDANT' ENERGY
(DEPENDING ON SIZE OF VESSEL)
AVAILABLE FOR APPROX. 2 HOURS
DURING PEAK TIDAL EBB OR FLOW
(APPROX. 8 HOURS / DAY)
EBB
When the sun doesn't shine
And the wind doesn't blow
The tides will be running
To and fro
FLOW
MULTIPLE STATIC ANCHOR LINE(S)
EBB
FLOW
Eg. Road wheels (of any size). Mounted on vessel (of any size). Braking system retained. Wheel Drive Shafts driving multiple standard Gearbox and Generator Units (similar to wind turbines without the blades). And/or Energy Storage Flywheels plus 'KERS' (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) designed to limit the drift speed of the vessel to 0.5 m/s. Battery Storage.
The prime source of energy here would be the roller/guide on the leading edge (bow) of the vessel during maximum tidal ebb or flow due to the increased contact area between anchor lines and roller/guide.
Forces acting here would include a downward force acting on the roller/guide due to tension in the anchor lines. This would cause a 'nose down' attitude of the vessel automatically increasing the area presented to the tidal stream, increasing the drag force and therefore increasing power available.
ENERGY GENERATION EQUIPMENT
PLUS BATTERY STORAGE
The potential energy from the above proposal can be calculated from the amount of surface area presented to the tidal stream, the speed of the tidal stream and to a lesser extent the kinetic energy of the drifting vessel. However, due to the many variables and unknowns in this proposal, small scale trials would be a cost effective method of 'proof of concept'.
Drift speed of the vessel will be limited (or governed) to no more than 0.5 m/s (1 knot). Average tidal stream speeds are in excess of 0.5 m/s. Drift distance will be limited to 4km. Duration of drift will be approximately 2 hours. Power will be generated when the speed of the tidal stream is greater than the speed of the vessel.
The sustained torque available at the pinion wheel drive shafts during maximum tidal ebb or flow would prove (or disprove) the concept.
With the use of MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) for all design parameters, including drift speed and distance travelled, maximum efficiency can be achieved.
Low profile vessels would be less affected by wind.
Vessels are fitted with adjustable drag inducing surfaces or 'spoilers', in order to increase or decrease 'power'. These automatically controlled 'spoilers' or 'stabilisers' could also be designed to reduce pitch, roll and yaw in rough sea conditions. These would also assist the vessel to follow a predetermined track thereby reducing the load on guides and cables.
The use of Energy Storage Flywheels for this proposal would have advantages.
1. Smooth out turbulent input.
2. Extend output at slack tide.
3. Stabilise output.
4. Power converted from energy storage flywheels by on-board generators only while stationary at slack tide i.e. shore connection attached only when stationary.
This proposal would be relatively inexpensive to develop, uses tried and tested existing technology, less restricted in location, does not require significant depth, easy for access and maintenance, could use existing vessels, less of a hazard to fish and other marine life and most importantly reliable.
Multiple vessels positioned around our estuaries and inshore waters would provide 24/7 clean power.
The undersigned has not sought any Patent or Intellectual Property Rights. This proposal has been developing over the past 10 years and incorporates feedback and constructive criticism from the academic community and others. (Please see below.)
Robert Jones.
Retired Engineering Designer/Draughtsman, Surrey, UK.
Includes time spent working for Boeing, Everett, Wn on the 747 Wing Leading Edge VC flaps.
RYA Yacht Day Skipper. UK PPL. US PPL.
Constructive comments or 'Business Angels' welcome.
July 2025.
Alternative Layout with Fixed Platforms
SUGGESTION FOR TRIALS
Converted Thames Barge or canal narrow boat fitted as above, multiple anchor lines fore and aft, located in a tidal stream (well away from shipping lanes or navigation channels), anchor points 1km apart.
Large or multiple parachute sea anchors deployed during maximum tidal ebb or flow to increase drag or 'power'.
THERE WILL ,OF COURSE, BE TURBULENCE CAUSED BUT IN THIS CASE
ZERO TURBULENCE = ZERO ENERGY.
TIDAL STREAMS ARE TOTALLY PREDICTABLE
REGARDLESS OF WIND, WAVES OR WEATHER
'TIDE IS KING'
Southampton Solent University and Lab Sea Systems Ltd have shown interest in modelling this proposal given funding.
The Advanced Engineering Group at The University of Brighton have offered to include this proposal for final year group project for Masters degree engineering (MEng) students to scale build and assess feasibility in their hydro tank.
Feedback:
November 2023.
'I like the concept'. Falcon Flywheels, Reading.
October 2024.
'we'd love to explore the opportunities for collaboration with you'. University of Manchester.
'Your approach is genuinely inventive, and I can see the potential'. Lenergy Consulting.
November 2024.
'This idea looks the sort of thing that Innovate UK will and should support you on'. Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.
'It is clear that much time and thought has been dedicated to developing your idea'. Growth, Environment & Transport, Kent County Council.
'Wish you all the best with this' Strategic Offshore Research Ltd.
'The proposals you have put forward look fascinating and truly innovative. We are very interested in hearing how the project with Innovate UK develops.' Senior Climate Change Officer, East Riding Council.
'We wish you every success with your Innovate UK application' Carbon Neutral Team, Cornwall Council.
'We wish you the best of luck in your endeavour'. Climate Emergency Team, The Government of Jersey.
December 2024.
'This looks fascinating'. Climate Action Team, East Sussex County Council.
January 2025.
'It is clear that you have invested significant development time and effort into the detailed designs' 'we wish you every success with your ongoing developments' . UK (Admiralty) Hydrographic Office, Taunton.
'looks very interesting' 'We wish you well with your project and your current application for an Innovate UK Smart Grant. Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre.
'This looks interesting'. GPS Marine, Rochester.
Feedback from Independent Assessors for Innovate UK.
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Assessor 1
'This is a simple & potentially game-changing concept for tidal-based renewable energy generation'.
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Assessor 2
'The idea is outlined and seems to offer a novel way to generate tidal power'.
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Assessor 3
'as noted this is a potentially interesting project seeking to harness tidal power' 'the applicant has interesting and relevant technical experience and skills that will benefit from building a broader-based team if this is to be progressed any further'.
Feedback from Independent Assessors from Industry and Academia.
'There is a strong motivation for this concept to gain the benefit of tidal forces at the water surface harnessed as renewable energy generation. The concept adopts a simple principle which may be an advantage in challenging nautical conditions. The project seeks to demonstrate proof of concept while relying on existing technologies in a new format'
'The idea of using tidal power via the relatively simple anchor line technique is interesting'
'The idea is interesting but more preliminary estimation would have helped present the game-changing nature of the idea'
'The idea appears to be interesting and assistance could be sought to develop the idea into a project proposal'
March 2025.
'Your idea is quite elegant in its simplicity' Professor of Engineering, Engineering Science and Technology.
May 2025.
'Wishing you continued success with this exciting initiative'. Associate Professor, Director, Centre for Marine Sustainability.
July 2025.
'We think it has great potential. It’s always encouraging to see fresh, inventive thinking in the marine renewables space'. Navingo Maritime and Offshore Media.
'we believe your concept might be a good fit for the Ember project from Renaissance Philanthropy'. Advanced Research and Innovations Agency.
Names supplied on request.
CONCEPT, CONTENT, RHYMES & WEB DESIGN © 1995-2025 Robert C Jones