Pulse Stream 100 is an oscillating hydrofoil tide energy converter, designed primarily for shallow water sites.   IT Power is in the final stages of assembling the Pulse Stream 100 device, as part of a BERR funded prototype project which aims to prove the device in expected operating conditions and pave the way for larger commercial units to be installed in similar estuary and shallow water sites around the world.

The nacelle structure of the Pulse Stream 100 tide energy converter is nearing completion on the dockside at Humber Boats Works.  With both the top deck, under-hanging maintenance deck and control and storage cabins in place, the assembly will soon be ready to be carried to the test site in the Humber estuary by a 90 tonne crane barge, The Mortlift, and secured to the twin pile structure which was installed in May.

Once in place, the device can be connected to the grid, and the prepared for the delivery of the moving parts of the system; the hydrofoils, levers (connecting the hydrofoils to the piles) and the con-rods (connecting the levers to the gearbox and generator on the main deck).
A member of the IT Power staff is on site throughout the working week, monitoring progress and assisting with the inevitable challenges of developing this scale of prototype machine.

The upper deck of the nacelle with the control and storage rooms in place stood on the maintenance deck structure. The crane barge that will carry the nacelle to site can be seen in the background.

The hydrofoils and levers will be attached to the piled support structure via the collars shown above. These collars allow the moving parts of the device to be raised up into the nacelle for maintenance.