Pilot Project for Tidal Current Exploitation on the Huelva Coast (TidUtil)
Álvaro de la Cruz Álamo, Jesús Clavijo Camacho, José Antonio Hernández Torres, María Reyes Sánchez Herrera Department of Electrical Engineering, E.T.S.I., Huelva University Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería - Campus de «El Carmen» - Huelva, Spain 2026-06-27

Abstract

This work addresses the progress and development status of the TidUtil project, which explores the viability of installing a tidal turbine in the Huelva estuary as a sustainable response to rising energy demands and fossil fuel dependency. Huelva’s unique coastal geography and extensive wetlands offer a strategic setting for tidal stream energy. Unlike other renewables, tidal power provides a stable and predictable output based on semi-diurnal cycles. This project proposes the installation as a pilot plant to evaluate the integration of modern turbine technology within this specific maritime environment. By serving as a foundational prototype for future large-scale deployments, the project addresses critical technical constraints, such as material degradation due to alkaline submerged conditions and fluctuations in flow velocity during neap tides. The findings suggest that despite environmental and mechanical challenges, the Huelva estuary represents a significant untapped resource for diversifying the regional energy matrix through clean, predictable marine power.

Key words:Tidal energy, Distributed energy, hydrokinetic turbine, pilot plant, sustainable engineering.

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