Tidal Energy Generator Aims to Power Coastal Communities
Engineer David Mummery has developed a tidal energy device he says could transform energy access for people in coastal towns.
A British engineer says he has built a tidal energy generator capable of delivering reliable, renewable power to coastal communities that have long depended on conventional energy sources. David Mummery, the device's developer, contends the technology could meaningfully improve quality of life for residents living along coastlines where tidal flows are strong and consistent.
Tidal energy, derived from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun on ocean waters, is considered one of the most predictable forms of renewable power. Unlike solar or wind generation, tidal patterns can be forecast years in advance, offering grid planners a level of reliability that intermittent sources cannot match. Proponents argue this predictability makes tidal devices well-suited for smaller, isolated coastal settlements.
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Mummery's generator is positioned as a practical solution for communities where energy infrastructure is aging or underdeveloped. While the source does not detail the device's exact output capacity or the specific coastal areas targeted, the engineer frames the project in human terms — emphasizing its potential social and economic impact on the towns that stand to benefit.
The development arrives as governments and utilities across the globe search for decentralized clean-energy options that can complement large-scale offshore wind and solar farms. Tidal power has historically struggled to reach commercial scale due to high installation costs and the engineering challenges posed by saltwater environments, but smaller modular designs are increasingly attracting attention from researchers and investors alike.
Continue reading at BBC News.
