The Rotech Tidal Turbine 1MW commercial prototype’s power train, currently under development by Lunar Energy, has, says the company, successfully synchronized to a simulated grid and produced electricity in dry testing. The milestone, announced today (21st May), is the next step on the road to a commercial prototype unit being deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney over the next year.

"Building on this success," said Lunar Energy Chairman, William Law, "we will carry out further endurance testing in the run up to the installation at EMEC. In addition, Lunar Energy is actively pursuing early commercial opportunities and has submitted a bid to the Crown Estate for the development of a demonstration field in the Pentland Firth."

The announcement of the successful tests comes on the back of Lunar Energy’s agreement with Korean Midland Power Co (KOMIPO), to supply a giant 300-turbine field in the Wando Hoenggan Water Way off the South Korean coast. The field is expected to supply electricity generated by tidal power to 200 000 Korean homes by 2015.