OpenHydro

OpenHydro is a tidal turbine manufacturer and marine energy developer originally founded in 2006 in County Galway, Ireland. The company specialised in designing open-centred axial-flow tidal turbines intended for deployment in tidal channels and estuaries. OpenHydro attracted international attention through collaborations with utilities, research institutes, and marine engineering firms across Europe, North America, and Asia.

History

OpenHydro was founded in 2006 by engineer Simon Forrest in County Galway, with early investment and support from Irish development agencies and private investors. The company engaged with institutions such as European Marine Energy Centre, Severn Estuary Forum, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and engineering partners including Atkins, Siemens (via later collaborations), and EDF Energy. OpenHydro entered pilot deployment discussions with utilities and governments including Scottish Government, The Crown Estate, Irish Government, and regional authorities in Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Early demonstration projects involved cooperation with research organisations such as University College Cork, Queen's University Belfast, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and École Polytechnique de Montréal. The company became a focal point in marine renewables debates alongside manufacturers like Andritz Hydro Hammerfest, Verdant Power, Atlantis Resources, and research programmes supported by Horizon 2020 and national funding bodies.

Technology and design

OpenHydro developed an open-centred, gravity-anchored axial-flow turbine designed to allow free passage of debris, fish, and sediment through the turbine hub. The engineering drew on fluid dynamics research from institutions including Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, Delft University of Technology, and INRIA. Prototype units featured large-diameter rotors mounted in steel caissons modelled with finite element analysis software produced by companies like ANSYS and supported by maritime manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce Holdings for nacelle concepts. Control systems leveraged electronics and power conversion expertise from firms including ABB, Schneider Electric, and research groups at University of Strathclyde. Mooring and installation methods were developed in partnership with marine contractors such as Mamola Marine, Global Marine Group, and heavy-lift operators like Allseas Group and Saipem. The design philosophy sought to minimise subsea maintenance and used materials subject to corrosion testing standards from Lloyd's Register, DNV GL, and Bureau Veritas.

Projects and deployments

OpenHydro delivered demonstration turbines to multiple test sites and commercial partners. Notable deployments included installations at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, demonstration projects in the Bay of Fundy with partners including Nova Scotia Power and Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy, and evaluation deployments in the Pentland Firth region with connections to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Hydro Electric. The company engaged in consortia with energy developers such as Centrica, RWE, and EDF Energy for site leases managed by The Crown Estate. Additional trials took place in collaboration with maritime universities including University of Plymouth and Memorial University of Newfoundland and with regional bodies like Marine Institute (Ireland). OpenHydro turbines were considered for arrays in strategic tidal locations including La Rance, Severn Estuary, and proposed barrages in locations studied by ScottishPower Renewables and governmental tidal studies.

Environmental and regulatory issues

Environmental assessments and monitoring accompanied deployments, involving ecological research from institutions such as Marine Biological Association, British Antarctic Survey (for methodology reference), Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, and university groups from University of Glasgow and University of St Andrews. Environmental impact studies addressed effects on species managed under directives like Birds Directive and Habitats Directive and were subject to regulation by authorities such as Marine Scotland and provincial regulators in Canada. Collision risk, noise generation, and sediment transport were modelled with guidance from International Maritime Organization standards and evaluated alongside marine mammal experts from organisations like Sea Mammal Research Unit and Ocean Conservancy. Permitting processes involved licensing bodies including The Crown Estate, Marine Institute (Ireland), and regional permitting frameworks influenced by directives from European Commission energy and environment programmes.

Commercialisation and corporate changes

OpenHydro pursued commercialisation through partnerships, joint ventures, and licensing agreements with industrial players such as Siemens, Alstom, and marine contractors including Jan De Nul Group and Van Oord. The company underwent corporate restructuring and attracted investment from private equity and strategic partners while facing market pressures from competitors like MeyGen developers, Blue Energy, and advances in offshore wind promoted by companies including Vestas and Ørsted. Financial and market constraints led to organisational changes, eventual acquisition discussions, and the company ceasing operations as an independent entity; its technologies and intellectual property were subject to transfer, buyouts, and absorption into other marine energy portfolios managed by firms and investors from Ireland, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Category:Marine energy companies Category:Renewable energy companies of Ireland