Engineer David Mummery is championing a new approach to marine renewable energy that could empower coastal communities through small-scale, locally installed tidal generators. After working on large utility-scale marine power projects in Scotland, Mummery shifted his focus toward decentralized technology that local workers could manage independently.
His creation, the Swimmer Turbine, is a compact 50kW fiberglass and steel device designed to anchor invisibly to the sea floor beneath the water's surface. Capable of generating electricity for about 30 homes, the system is engineered to be assembled and launched directly from village harbours using standard equipment and local labour, drawing inspiration from straightforward kit-assembly methods.
Mummery initially conceptualized the design over a decade ago while testing currents in a fast-flowing Scottish river. After founding his company, Flex Marine Power, he developed prototypes tested in locations including the Firth of Lorn and Strangford Narrows in Northern Ireland. A significant milestone arrived when the project secured £968,000 from the UK government's Energy Entrepreneurs Fund, paving the way for commercial development.
Following recent testing phases on the island of Islay, where local mariners successfully assembled and launched the equipment, Mummery plans to return to Islay to implement power generation for the island. The initiative aims to offer coastal towns a way to harness local marine energy without relying on heavy corporate infrastructure.