Abstract
This report has been prepared by URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) on behalf of the proponent Tenax Energy Pty Ltd (Tenax Energy) to provide a formal Notice of Intent (NOI) for assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act 1982 of the proposal to install a tidal energy generation project within Clarence Strait, north east of Darwin, Northern Territory.
The Clarence Strait Tidal Energy Project will include approximately 456 tidal energy generators being installed on the sea floor of Clarence Strait and associated submarine cables, switching gear, transformer, substation, and powerlines to provide a connection to the Darwin/Katherine grid.
This NOI will provide an outline of the project and information required under the Environmental Assessment Administrative Procedures 1984,.
Tenax Energy is a company that is committed to exploring, developing and bringing to market the most reliable and efficient renewable energy technologies available. Tenax Energy is focussed on meeting rising energy demands in a cost-effective manner while maintaining a focus of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Tenax Energy has investigated tidal resources at various sites around Australia and found that there are limited areas that have the necessary tidal velocities to generate electricity utilising current technology. One of these sites is Clarence Strait, Northern Territory.
Tidal energy is a clean renewable energy source that has the advantage over other forms of renewable energy such as wind, solar and wave energy generation of being highly predictable and reliable. The times at which the generators can operate (around 70% of the time in Clarence Strait) can be forecast with exceptional accuracy, years in advance. Investing in this type of power generating technology has the security of a pre-defined electricity output during the life of the asset, offering both realisable and sustained benefits to the local community.
This highly reliable form of renewable energy generates power without producing greenhouse gases, and has a nominal environmental impact. Recent technological improvements have significantly increased the generating capability, and reduced the capital cost of this energy source. These developments have encouraged the planning of new tidal generation projects in New Zealand, Korea, Canada, USA and the United Kingdom.