One of the world's largest tidal current power plants is being developed in Korea - the "Seaturtle Tidal Park". Together with its Korean partner Renetec, Voith Hydro is realizing this technological mile stone that will help to utilize the enormous potential of clean CO2-free energy from the oceans. Once finalized, the plant will have a rated power output of 150 megawatts, being able to meet the electricity demand of 100,000 homes.
In the view of this fact, Joon Yung Park, the Governor of the Jeollanamdo Province in South Korea, paid a visit to Voith in Heidenheim, Germany, focusing on Voith's global Research & Development laboratory for hydro power and ocean energies. Governor Park, who is a strong supporter of renewable energy production, was impressed by the technological possibilities and the potentials of hydro and tidal power plants. Offshore South Korea's coast there are numerous further possibilities for the realization of further tidal current power parks.
The Seaturtle Tidal Park is a cutting edge project. Voith and Renetec are developing a new technology, that will play a major role in the future's energy mix.", said Dr. Roland Muench, Chief Executive Officer of Voith Hydro. "Mr. Park is the Governor of the Province that plans to install one of the world's biggest tidal current power parks offshore its coast. We are proud to be able to show him where Voith Hydro has designed and manufactured the pilot unit for this landmark project."
The energy potential of the oceans is enormous. According to current estimations around 15 percent of the world's energy demand could be covered through utilization of wave, tidal or ocean current power. Long term evaluations of the British Carbon Trust even assume a value of around 20 percent of the national energy demand of the UK; the United States consider a share of 10 percent of today's electricity demand as feasible.
Changing energy systems is the crucial goal of climate change policies worldwide. To this goal , hydro power, apart from its traditional large and small hydro solutions, can significantly contribute with its innovative ocean energy technologies.
Hydro power is the biggest and oldest, and at the same time most reliable source of renewable energy generation. All over the world, hydro power makes an essential contribution to economic and social development in industrialized countries as well as fast-growing regions. Moreover, it contributes significantly to climate friendly energy generation. Since the beginnings of hydro power generation, Voith is a leading provider of hydro power technology and pushes its further advancement.
Voith Hydro is a Group Division of Voith and - with a workforce of currently almost 5,200 employees and a sales volume of almost 1.2 billion Euros in the business year 2009/2010 - belongs to the world-wide leading companies for hydro power equipment.
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs almost 40,000 people, generates �5.2 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.
Source: Voith Hydro
