A harbour near Melbourne in Australia is probing the potential of its natural tides to develop a new kind of renewable energy hub.

As the Bellarine Times reports, Queenscliff Harbour has partnered with the non-profit Southern Ocean Environmental Link and tidal turbine maker Altum Green Energy to install a device near the harbour’s marina.

The area of Port Phillip Heads, also known as The Rip, is at the narrow entrance to the large bay on which Melbourne lies to the northeast.

Its large tidal flows make it a treacherous stretch for boating and shipping, but a potentially rich one for generating power from the sea.

The joint project is currently collecting measurements at the location to determine its potential and best positioning for the Altum turbine, which is designed to operate in slow-flowing waters such as at ports and bridges, rivers, canals and islands.

The Bellarine Times has more on the story HERE.