Tuned for Tomorrow: TidalKite Progresses Through Freshwater Trials

Over the past few months, SeaQurrent has been validating its TidalKite™ system in a controlled freshwater environment, we call the Sandpit. This phase marks another important step on our path towards reliable, clean, 24/7 tidal energy.

The Sandpit’s fresh water, while ideal for controlled testing, differs significantly in density from the sea. Because the TidalKite System relies on precise buoyancy neutrality to hover mid-water and convert every bit of wing lift into clean power, we adjusted the system’s buoyancy specifically for this environment. Fine-tuning that balance ensured the kite could operate in its optimal position.

During this campaign, we validated recent system upgrades and successfully tested the TidalKite’s safety programmes, an essential step in de-risking deployments. Endurance trials were conducted on the Power Take-Off (PTO) unit, pushing its performance boundaries and confirming its robustness. In addition, we verified the long-term watertightness of the PTO, ensuring it is ready for sustained operation in harsh marine conditions.

This campaign not only validated technical improvements, it reinforced our confidence in the system’s reliability, safety, and scalability. Each trial brings us closer to realising tidal energy’s promise: dependable, 24/7 clean power, engineered to perform and built to last.