Experts from across North West Europe will be unveiling the findings of a three-year study into generating energy from the tides.

More than 20 speakers – leaders in their field – and in excess of 40 delegates will be staying in the town for the two day Pro-Tide event.

They will be scrutinising the results of tests and analysis carried out in Dover, the Isle of Wight, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Vicki Jago, the Port of Dover’s enviornmental manager, and organiser of the conference said: “Tidal power is an important form of green energy. Unlike solar or wind energy, tidal doesn’t rely on specific weather to be effective – it is predictable 365 days a year.

“However, harnessing this power is a real challenge. That’s why the Pro-Tide research has been so important and why we in Dover have been keen to play such an important part in it.

“This conference marks the end of the project and will be an opportunity for delegates to learn from the experiences of the study and leaders in the field.”

The Pro-Tide project has been focussing on drawing power from sites that have relatively low flow rates and tidal ranges. Experts behind the pilot scheme say it’s different from other tidal energy projects because it’s been studying systems that could work closer to the shore, in estuaries and tidal rivers, and alongside coastal defences.

The final Pro-Tide Conference will be at Dover’s Cruise Terminal Two from September 30 to October 1.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Pro-Tide is an Interreg IVB funded European project that aims to further develop the use of tidal energy systems in North West Europe, focusing on innovative systems operating at sites with small differences in tide levels and/or low flow rates. It is different from other tidal energy projects because of its focus on systems which may be suitable for near-shore locations, estuaries, tidal rivers and coastal defense infrastructure.
• Please visit http://www.pro-tide.eu/final-conference/ for more information