Tidal Stream and Wave Energy Converters

Orbital Marine Power's floating turbine in Orkney feeds 2 MW into the grid, with a 15-year operational life expected at a levelized cost of $0.25 per kWh. Yet installation costs remain prohibitive at $5 million per MW, roughly 50% more expensive than next-generation geothermal. Despite this, Scotland has approved 300 MW of tidal projects, signaling growing commercial viability for a technology that can predict generation schedules up to 18 years in advance.