Blackfish Engineering Supports QED Naval’s Tidal Technology Development

Blackfish Engineering is pleased to collaborate with QED Naval on the technical readiness assessment of their Subhub-ID tidal platform and T3 tidal turbine. This work is part of QED’s 4.5MW pilot project under the UK’s Contract for Difference (CfD) AR5 scheme at Morlais, representing an important stage in the development of the UK’s tidal energy sector.

Collaboration Focus: Advancing Tidal Technology

QED Naval has engaged Blackfish Engineering to conduct a comprehensive technical design review. This first phase of Technical Due Diligence (TDD) has included a rigorous evaluation of the Basis of Design, design methodologies, calculation procedures, risk assessments, and quality assurance documentation - all aimed at ensuring the technology is prepared for Final Investment Decision (FID).

Blackfish’s Role: Independent Engineering Expertise

Blackfish Engineering commented:

“We are pleased to be working with QED, providing independent tidal domain expertise to review their design processes. Our assessment has covered hydrodynamic evaluations, structural analysis, risk management, requirements capture, and quality assurance. This allows us to validate effective processes, highlight areas for improvement, and provide insights to enhance design and documentation. We were particularly impressed by QED’s Tidal and Wave Energy Evaluation Toolset (TWEET) software, which has been validated through extensive tank testing.”

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Acknowledging QED’s Team Effort

QED Naval has recognised its engineering team for their dedication under challenging conditions and tight timelines, and acknowledged shareholder support in achieving this stage of the project.

Next Steps: Preparing for Deployment

The next phase will focus on finalised design and engineering calculations, supporting contract tendering with selected supply chain partners and ensuring the technology is robust, reliable, and ready for deployment.

Advancing Tidal Innovation

The Morlais tidal stream project, located off the north-west coast of Anglesey, Wales, is one of the UK’s leading tidal energy sites. It benefits from strong and consistent tidal currents, making it an ideal location for testing and demonstrating industrial-scale tidal technology. Projects at Morlais are supported under the UK’s Contract for Difference (CfD) AR5 scheme, providing a pathway for developers to progress towards commercial deployment.

By hosting pilot projects like QED Naval’s 4.5MW initiative, Morlais serves as a testbed for innovative tidal solutions, helping the sector validate technology, de-risk designs, and advance the UK’s ambitions in renewable energy. Independent technical assessments, such as those provided by Blackfish Engineering, play a critical role in ensuring that designs are robust, safe, and deployment-ready, supporting both developers and the wider marine energy supply chain.

Aerial view of the Morlais tidal energy site off Anglesey, showcasing the area designated for pilot tidal energy projects and infrastructure development.

Blackfish Engineering’s Expertise

As a multidisciplinary engineering firm, Blackfish provides independent technical assessments and design optimisation for renewable energy projects. Our involvement in QED Naval’s initiative reflects our commitment to supporting the development of sustainable energy technologies and enabling safe and efficient deployment of tidal energy systems.

Read QED Naval’s full announcement here.