Minesto's tidal kite will likely remain constrained to low-speed tidal flow locations

November 02, 2022 | Case Study

Tidal energy is a predictable energy source that can support a completely renewable energy grid by supplying continuous power to the grid. The most commonly found tidal energy generator is a horizontal-axis hydrokinetic turbine. The number of innovative designs for tidal power generation is not high, given the maturity of hydrokinetic turbines as a standalone technology. However, Swedish tidal energy generator developer Minesto has designed a tidal kite that will be deployed underwater to generate power from tidal currents. The tidal kite includes turbines that generate power as the kite moves in a figure-eight motion with a tidal current. Minesto claims that its device is designed to generate electricity from low-velocity tidal currents, something conventional turbines cannot do. After concluding two tests for its 500-kW prototype in November 2018 and September 2019, Minesto began the commissioning process for its commercial 100-kW tidal kite, the "Dragon 4," in the Faroe Islands in October 2020, and signed a power purchase agreement with local utility company SEV in December 2020; the system came online in the summer of 2022.