The Tandem Tidal Turbine (TTT) series of projects represented a major advancement in marine renewable energy research in Northern Ireland. Led by Queen’s University Belfast, the projects focused on the testing and validation of scaled tidal turbines in real sea conditions, laboratory tanks, and towing facilities. The initial TTT2 project established a unique threefold testing methodology, comparing turbine performance across controlled laboratory environments and open water trials in Strangford Lough – the first project in the world to generate these type of data sets. This approach enabled researchers to identify previously unknown uncertainties in turbine behaviour, particularly in turbulent flow conditions, and laid the groundwork for future array configuration studies.
Building on the success of TTT2, the TTT3 project expanded the scope of testing with a larger consortium and more advanced instrumentation. The project generated significant volumes of data, which were analysed to refine turbine design and improve performance prediction models. TTT3.5, an extension of TTT3, continued this work with further field trials and data validation, reinforcing Strangford Lough’s reputation as a world-class tidal energy test site.
Across the three projects, CASE funding facilitated prototype development, international collaboration, and dissemination of findings at global conferences. The research led to multiple journal publications, created new employment opportunities, and attracted interest from device developers worldwide. Industrial partners benefited from enhanced visibility, technical insights, and new commercial opportunities. The TTT series positioned Northern Ireland as a leader in tidal energy innovation and demonstrated the value of collaborative R&D in advancing sustainable energy technologies.