Recent advances in the measurement of flow in highly energetic tidal currents allows the effects of both turbulence and ocean waves to be characterised. This provides improved understanding of the causes of failure in tidal devices, including blades, seals, bearings, PTO & other critical components. Combining this new understanding with state-of-the-art condition monitoring systems will allow fault-tolerant, resilient, components to be designed. The project will combine innovation in flow measurement, condition monitoring and turbine components with tide-to-wire modelling to design reliable power take off & control systems delivering grid compliant energy. This is only possible by the inclusion of partners with: (1.) a proven track record of high resolution flow measurements in the highly energetic waters of the EMEC tidal site, (2.) access to open- sea pilot test site and turbine data, (3.) world leading capabilities in testing of materials for the marine environment, in design, construction, installation a

A key EU policy aims to reduce the Union dependency on raw materials imports, in particular (candidate) Critical Raw Materials that are vital for the EU innovative technologies. Topic SC5-11c-2015 scope focuses on “developing new highly-automated technological sustainable solutions for deep mining … in the sea bed combined with in-situ processing of minerals”. An existing but challenging raw material resource concerns polymetallic nodules. These round to elongated concretions of 1–15 cm diameter form on sediment-covered deep-sea plains in all oceans between 4-6000m water depth. The challenge to harvest and transport the nodules to the EU shore is taken on by Blue Nodules. The governing project principle is: industrial viability within the context of a realistic and technical, economic and environmentally balanced business case for the complete Polymetallic Nodules value chain of mining, processing and valorisation. Blue Nodules will develop and test to TRL6 maturity a new highly-automated and technologically sustainable deep sea mining system. Key features are: an annual production capability of 2 Million Tons nodules in water depths up to 6000m, in-situ processing of the nodules and intrinsic safe working conditions. Technical WPs are dedicated to subsea harvesting equipment & control technology, in-situ seafloor processing of polymetallic nodules and sea surface, land operations & processes. A dedicated WP focuses on environmental issues and on an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). A WP setting requirements and assessing the developed technology controls the entire work plan structure. High credibility is obtained by linking the project work to a nodule field licence owned by a project partner and located in the most promising known nodule deposit: the Clarion Clipperton Zone. The project consortium contains 14 leading industry and research partners from 9 EU member states. The project duration is 48 months, the required funding amounts to 8 Million.