AN inventor from West Devon has been nominated for a prestigious environmental award.

Joseph Toland, 73, from Horrabridge has designed the ‘Jetstream Lagoon’ which works in a similar way to a tidal lagoon. But instead of the old-fashioned method of lagoon wall-building, this is made with composite materials, forming a long, smooth, curved wall with pumps attached every 20 metres, which encourages the tidal flow to speed up close to the wall, creating an everlasting resource of increased kinetic energy.

This activates the pumps to pump extra water into a duo lagoon complex, with two turbine houses to handle it. So much water enters, the inside is extended and increased to give 24-hour power and reduced capital cost per Megawatt (Mw).

And it was for this invention that Mr Toland has been nominated for the Zayed Future Energy Prize which represents the vision of the late president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, who championed environ-mental stewardship. This annual award celebrates achieve-ments that reflect impact, innovation, long-term vision and leadership in renewable energy and sustainability.

Mr Toland said: ‘I would like to thank local businesses in Tavistock and Plymouth and local family and friends who have helped me, and to the Tavistock Times for its support, all who have helped me get to where I am today.

‘It’s a privilege to be nominated and if we win it will be a huge honour.’