Irish outfit DesignPro is to test one of its hydrokinetic turbines at the Seeneoh’s facility in France.
DesignPro will deploy a 25kW device at the site on the Garonne River in Bordeaux for 12 months from April next year.
DesignPro managing director Paul Collins said: “Having our test site for the 25kw device confirmed means we can now move ahead with finalising the device design and start building.”
The company plans to unveil the 25kW device in March next, when it will undergo initial tow tests in Limerick docks before being finalised and shipped to France.
DesignPro is also researching potential deployment sites for its larger 60kW device, which is scheduled to begin testing in July 2018.
The company has also secured EU-backed funding of €2.7m to help develop the hydrokinetic turbines for deployment in rivers and estuaries.
The funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 project will be used to build, test and commercially deply the 25kW and 60kW devices.
Image: DesignPro/Seeneoh
French connection for Irish hydro
DesignPro to test hydrokinetic turbines at Seeneoh's Bordeaux facility
By EBS