zoom HydroWing technology. Photo: Inyanga-Tech

Inyanga-Tech, based in Penryn in Cornwall, has launched a tidal energy project called HydroWing.

HydroWing is Inyanga-Tech’s patent-pending tidal energy technology which is based on a full-systems approach targeted at subsea tidal energy arrays.

Richard Parkinson, managing director of Inyanga-Tech said: “The focus of the project is on developing a ‘full array balance of plant solution’ based around our unique HydroWing technology.

“To achieve commercial viability, tidal energy needs to be at the correct scale and needs to address fundamental issues that have delayed the industrialization of the sector. These include high operations and maintenance costs, expensive logistics, limited accessibility/tidal windows, high vessel costs, high mobilisation/demobilization costs as well as the complexity and cost of the turbines.

“The HydroWing technology greatly reduces the dependency on offshore construction vessels during the construction phases and eliminates the need for these vessels during the O&M phase. This is achieved through focus on weight reduction and modularization using tried and tested subsea construction methods. This also makes the technology more viable for remote areas where specialized vessels are not available.”

The HydroWing project has received grant support from Marine-i. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Marine-i is a partnership project aiming to boost the marine technology sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Inyanga-Tech has also received additional support from the Marine-i lead partner, University of Exeter, which is undertaking research looking at operations, maintenance, reliability and yield analysis.

Prof Lars Johanning of Exeter University said: “We are pleased that Marine-i have been able to help Inyanga-Tech kickstart this exciting project which is right at the cutting edge of innovation in tidal energy technology. Our research work will help build the business case and accelerate commercialization of the technology.”

Richard Parkinson added: “The HydroWing project is the realization of years of experience within our team to develop a collaborative solution to commercial exploitation of tidal energy. We aim to rapidly develop the technology towards a first demonstrator deployment in 2020. We are investigating several site options in collaboration with industrial partners and we continue to welcome further collaboration from interested parties. I am very appreciative and hugely encouraged by the support we have received from the Marine-i and the University of Exeter.”