A Northern Ireland engineer’s invention has the potential to more than double the power output of tidal turbines, raising their investment potential significantly.

Many types of turbines are currently undergoing trials on sea-beds around the world as manufacturers look for the most efficient design to generate power.

Larry Donag-hey’s Marine Deflector device uses rectangular plate-like structures to increase the speed of the water current flowing through the turbine, resulting in greater force and generating more power.

Mr Donaghey says: “The deflectors can increase the power output of marine turbines — either tidal or river — by up to 200%.

“They will also increase the number of potential sites for tidal turbines, by having the ability to increase the water current speed by up to 55%.”