In recent developments, Siemens has taken up majority ownership of the British company Marine Current Turbines (MCT).
MCT has been one of the early developers of tidal generators. Their 1st generation design has changed very little over the last few years. Siemens' move to take majority ownership is a sign of confidence in the future of the industry, particularly for companies that have large turbines capable of generating meaningful amounts of electricity in tidal power stations.
http://www.siemens.com/press/pool/de/pressemitteilungen/2012/energy/solar-hydro/EX201202030e.pdf
Tidal Resources and Population Centres
Aside from clock-precision reliability of tides,it's interesting to note that some of the best tidal resources are near population centres. For reasons of commerce, travel, recreation and resources, over the centuries people have tended to settle near the world’s coastlines.
Today, hundreds of large population centres are located on bays, inlets and estuaries; the mouths of rivers that meet the oceans.
http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2012/20120023.html
Government backing could Create Energy Centre
The tiny Channel Island of Alderney could become one of Europe’s tidal-energy powerhouses following an initiative backed by the French and UK governments.
http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wave_tidal_hydro/article304125.ece
Tidal Energy Market to Boom
Tidal stream energy generation is poised to take the lead in an industry boom that will see the marine and hydrokinetic market's generation capacity increase from 760 megawatts to 5.5 gigawatts in just five years, according to Pike Research.
http://www.ecoseed.org/component/resource/article/138-news-briefs/12445-tidal-power-said-to-reach-2-4-gigawatts-of-capacity-in-2017
UK Boost for renewable Energy
The UK government has announced the launch of a new ‘catapult’ scheme to promote renewable technologies.
A new £50m centre will be located at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow – with a second base in the North East of England.
http://www.rtcc.org/business/uk-launches-50m-offshore-renewable-energy-catapult/