The introductory page covered our rationale and specifically how we knew we needed to make tidal power economically viable and round-the-clock reliable. We did it, but on the way we developed a lot of detail as we investigated "parts" of the research that made up the whole. On later pages we will present more of the ideas that we had, perhaps (as time moved on) not necessarily aligning with the 'core' direction however these are nonetheless valuable. We revitalise derelict riverside land, and make economic electricity and space for new industry or housebuilding.
This tidal project was the idea of one person, but fleshed out by a group of five. We did the calculations and measurements, wrote the proposals, the scripts and visited the actual sites. We developed this website and filed patents or filed key dates with attorneys, and established legal copyright. We took photographs and site measurements, scouted areas on Google Earth and Ordnance Survey maps, checked the range of tide. Sometimes went again in another season. We visited the sites personally and talked to owners, officials and passers-by.
The latter group turned out to be very useful.
At the same time we were thinking of ways around the problems. Only after we were sure of our ground did we move to the next stage, of checking we were right.
In this, we consulted literally hundreds of experts across a wide variety of fields. Generated over 800 pages of background data. Did "the numbers." (We are very, very keen on numbers. In our broader group (around twenty) around half have science or engineering-based degrees, two of us taught maths at Cambridge. Others have high maths content qualifications). All of us have developed, registered and hold legally assigned Intellectual Property.
We ourselves have also project managed, all over the world. High-tech building construction in silicon valley. Pointing apparatus for Google - earth cameras. Irrigation systems in South Africa. Radar calibrators for air traffic control. Investigating desertification in North West Africa. Small site methane capture. And more.
We have expertise ourselves but wherever necessary we go to others for help.
Around 300 people have been variously involved in this project over the five years it has been running. All under conditions of commercial confidence.
The core group of companies formed a consortium to bid for funding from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's Brownfield Land regeneration scheme (or indeed the environmental energy scheme).
The team behind the proposal is ourselves - NSWG limited, all of us part of the Cambridge SMART Group; Newcastle University (responsible for investigating and developing turbine design and electrical fit), the National Engineering Laboratory at East Kilbride (responsible for optimisation of basin design to enhance fluid flow, also the designs of filling and emptying channels), Birketts solicitors (identification of land ownership, land use limitations, local planning issues, I.P protection) and Professor Ian Fells C.B.E, FREng who agreed to be our technical consultant.
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In addition there are single individuals at Balfour Beatty, the Met Office and the National Physical Laboratory who deserve great commendation for helping us "far over and above."