technology: environmental impact

The Open-Centre Turbine has a number of design features intended to avoid any impact on marine life. The large open centre provides a safe passage for marine life and the turbine's clean hydrodynamic lines ensure that fish will not become entangled.

The blade tips are retained within the outer housing which clearly defines the moving component and the turbine is designed to generate energy at a slow rotational speed.

The design avoids the use of oils, greases or other lubricating fluids that could present a pollution risk. Tests have also confirmed that the unit produces very low levels of mechanical noise.