Defence manufacturer makes waves in tidal power project

Defence industry manufacturer ATSA (Advanced Technology Systems Australia) has made waves in tidal power generation development with its involvement in the SeaUrchin project.

Elemental Energy Technologies engaged ATSA to manage the project, ensuring the on-time development of a 2 kW permanent magnet axial flux generator for the tidal energy generator, which is designed to economically capture the kinetic energy of ocean streams, tidal currents and river flows.

The SeaUrchin machine power generator.

The generator was prototyped and manufactured at the ATSA facility and then integrated into the SeaUrchin turbine.

ATSA says its experience working on the Huon Class minehunter was used to plan and conduct generator sea trials at Newcastle and Sydney.

“ATSA is typical of small defence suppliers who have responded to the need for SMEs to translate skills to commercial applications,” said ATSA Director Darren Burrowes. “Our participation in the success of SeaUrchin demonstrates the capabilities we have developed in defence work are being applied to emerging opportunities in cleantech.”

The SeaUrchin project was awarded top honours in the Engineering Excellence Awards.

To learn more about the SeaUrchin machine power generator, click here.