The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) will cast an independent eye on a new tidal turbine based in New York City.
Verdant Power’s 5th Generation (Gen5) tidal turbine will be deployed for commercial demonstration in New York City’s East River in 2020.
The marine energy firm secured £4.6 million funding for the project in 2018.
EMEC will provide a performance assessment of three of Verdant’s Gen5 tidal turbines.
Elaine Buck, technical manager at EMEC, said: “This will be the first time EMEC has carried out an off-site performance assessment, and potentially the first marine energy test report issued through the IECRE. This will set a new bar for tidal energy technologies globally.
“As a stage for EMEC’s first tidal energy performance assessment outside Orkney, you couldn’t ask for somewhere higher profile than New York City.”
Ron Smith, president at Verdant Power, added:“Working with EMEC, the world’s premier marine energy test facility, is a natural fit for us.
“The addition of their technical expertise and particularly their independent third-party verification of our system’s performance is key as we bring the technology to market.
“Furthermore, utilizing the newly formed IECRE System and issuing the world’s first Renewable Energy Test Report (RETR) for the assessment of power performance for a tidal energy converter not only supports our company mission but also advances the marine energy industry at large.”