Tidal Harvester

The Tidal Harvester is an innovative tidal stream turbine and is 4NRg's flagship project. 

Tidal Harvester 2
Prototyping, engineering design, numerical modelling and Intellectual Property Protection have been undertaken at 4NRg to develop the Tidal Harvester 2 (TH2). The TH2 is a transverse horizontal rotor, and is designed for shallow water applications of 10-20m, and is particularly suited to sites in the North Sea. In order to achieve the maximum possible drag in the water, the turbine blades are designed to remain perpendicular to the water's surface as the turbine rotates.

1:10 Scale Prototype Testing
The East of England Development Agency provided grant funding for the development of a 1:10 scale prototype of the Tidal Harvester 2. This device was designed at 4NRg and built by Small & Co Marine Engineers in Lowestoft. The machine was trialled successfully in Lake Lothing in April 2011. Tow testing of the device simulated tidal currents which would be present offshore. Results were positive, suggesting that the device generates more electricity than was predicted by numerical modelling. Tidal Harvester Ltd is now working to take the project to the next stage, which will involve the development of a full scale prototype to be installed in the North Sea.




















Tow Testing of the 1:10 scale prototype in Lake Lothing, Lowestoft, in March 2011.

Tidal Harvester 5
The Broads Authority's Sustainable Development Fund supported 4NRg to undertake a feasibility study to develop a conceptual design for a combined tidal energy and flood barrier device to be placed at Great Yarmouth. More details on this project are available here.

Our corporate site has more details on this project here.