  This paper presents the results of a pilot experiment with an existing tidal
energy converter (TEC), Evopod 1 kW floatable prototype, in a real test case
scenario (Faro Channel, Ria Formosa, Portugal). A baseline marine geophysical,
hydrodynamic and ecological study based on the experience collected on the test
site is presented. The collected data was used to validate a
hydro-morphodynamic model, allowing the selection of the installation area
based on both operational and environmental constraints. Operational results
related to the description of power generation capacity, energy capture area
and proportion of energy flux are presented and discussed, including the
failures occurring during the experimental setup. The data is now available to
the scientific community and to TEC industry developers, enhancing the
operational knowledge of TEC technology concerning efficiency, environmental
effects, and interactions (i.e. device/environment). The results can be used by
developers on the licensing process, on overcoming the commercial deployment
barriers, on offering extra assurance and confidence to investors, who
traditionally have seen environmental concerns as a barrier, and on providing
the foundations whereupon similar deployment areas can be considered around the
world for marine tidal energy extraction.
