Race For Renewable Energy

The Scottish government recently announced the Grand Challenge Phase of the £10 million Saltire Prize for renewable energy companies to encourage development of tidal and wave energy devices.

Over a two year period, Aquamarine Power, Pelamis Wave Power, Scottish Power Renewables and MeyGen will be racing to produce the most amount of electricity possible from Scottish waters.  Aquamarine’s Saltire Prize project will see its Oyster wave energy converter deployed off the Isle of Lewis.  Three projects will compete in the Pentland Firth & Orkney Waters - Pelamis' wave power device at Farr Point,  MeyGen’s tidal energy project in the Inner Sound and ScottishPower Renewables at Ness of Duncansby with the HS1000 tidal turbine developed by Andritz Hydro Hammerfest.   As well as developing new technology and producing renewable energy, the competition will also benifit Stromness on Orkney where a new access point and pier will be constructed.

Two of the four companies taking part are customers of TMS CADCentre, utilising SolidWorks for the design of their 'green' machines.  We would like to wish Pelamis and Aquamrine Power the best of luck in their quest for the Saltire Prize!

“I am delighted to see Aquamarine Power and Pelamis being recognised for their work in the renewable sector.  Their commitment and desire to provide a better and greener alternative to current energy technologies is truly inspiring.  We wish both of our clients the very best in their quest for the Saltire Prize” – Alex Lowe -  TMS Director   

Aquamarine Power

Pelamis Wave Power 

From the deepest depths to the highest heights.

James Cameron is in the news this morning, not for another box office smash, this time he has hit rock bottom...of the Mariana Trench!  He is the third person to venture to the bottom of the trench following the historic dive by US Navy Lt Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard more than 50 years ago.

James Cameron on his return (courtesy of National Geographic)

SolidWorks posted a study last year on the design of submersible vehicles within SolidWorks and Simulation.  You can read about it and see the video here.


From the deepest depths of the ocean, to the outer limits of the atmosphere where Felix Baumgartner is working on the worlds highest skydiving altitude record.  This is another feat of exploration that hasn't been attempted in more than half a century.  The SolidWorks Simulation team have also done a study to see what forces Felix will be exposed to and if he will reach supersonic speeds during his attempt.  Check it out here.

So, the next time you are planning some extreme record breaking attempt, see if SolidWorks can help.