Alstom enters the ocean energy market, reinforcing its renewable energy portfolio

Alstom Hydro has signed a licencing cooperation agreement with Clean
Current Power Systems Incorporated, a private Canadian company
specialised in the design and testing of tidal energy technology.

According to the main environmental regulatory bodies, this emerging energy source will soon play a significant role in renewable energy power generation. If all eligible tidal stream sites worldwide were equiped with this technology, a potential 100 TWh of electricity, representing the equivalent of the consumption of 20 million western European households or 3 times the total consumption of Denmark, could be produced annually (sources: International Energy Agency, IEA).

In addition to its energy production potential, tidal stream power technology presents numerous advantages to the environment. It is clean, natural, invisible, and does not emit any greenhouse gases. Moreover, being a 100% predictable and inexhaustible energy source, it represents a durable new energy supply to respond to growing electricity demand.

The terms of the agreement between Alstom Hydro and Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated include an exclusive worldwide license for ocean and tidal stream applications for Clean Currents patented technology*. The agreement also includes provisions for continued close cooperation between both parties in order to further develop technology, deploy demonstrator units and subsequently position Alstom Hydro as both an equipment and turnkey provider for tidal stream farms. Alstom plans to commercialise its first tidal stream products by 2012.

Commenting on todays announcement, Philippe Joubert, President, Alstom Power, said: We are very excited about getting involved in this innovative renewable energy technology which is at the crossroads of Hydro and Wind technologies. This will enable us to leverage our market leading Hydro and Wind technologies, and the experience we have gained in these fields. 

Mr. Joubert added, We will be happy to provide an additional viable solution to our customers for meeting their renewable energy production targets and we look forward to government backing in order to further develop this new CO2-free technology.

Clean Current is very pleased to partner with Alstom Hydro, the worlds Number 1 hydro company.  Alstoms considerable resources applied to this new energy field will be a great asset for tidal energy said Glen Darou, Clean Currents President and CEO.  

*Clean Currents tidal energy technology consists of a horizontal axis ducted turbine with a direct drive variable speed permanent magnet generator. The turbine generator is equally efficient in both directions in order to fully utilize two-way tidal currents. In addition, the equipment that operates under the sea has been designed to minimise risks of outage and maintenance. The outer duct improves hydraulic efficiency and leads to more robust operations (more tolerant to variations in current directions and turbulence).
Clean Current Power Systems Incorporated is a private Canadian company based in British Columbia that develops, designs and tests proprietary tidal energy technology that converts the kinetic energy of tidal currents into electricity. 

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