Bladeless tidal stream turbines for more efficient, robust and ecologically sustainable hydropower generation

Kurzfassung

A London-based company has developed tidal stream turbines that do not use blades or gearboxes, reducing the chances of mechanical failure and the need for maintenance. The turbines show greater energy conversion than existing technologies and operate in slower tidal streams, allowing installation in more sites. The company is looking for industrial partners in the field of tidal stream turbine installation and exploitation for joint further development and commercial agreement.

Details

The UK government, recognising the issue of Climate Change, have committed to a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020. This has resulted in plans to provide substantially more electrical power from renewable sources such as wind, solar, wave and tidal resources.

The unique position of the UK as an island with an extensive coastline makes tidal stream an invaluable resource for the generation of renewable energy. With a predicable, high energy power delivery and tide times staggered around the UK, tidal stream has the potential to deliver energy at a known, constant base load, without the visual impact that other energy generators might have.

At the moment, tidal stream technology is based on various propeller-based or hydrofoil generators. The moving parts of these generators are liable to breaking, necessitating frequent maintenance and interrupting power generation. In addition, the moving parts form a barrier for wildlife, raising concern of ecological sustainability.

A London-based company has developed a novel, bladeless tidal stream turbine that promises to revolutionise the field. Without blades and gearbox, this technology removes at a stroke the two main parts of mechanical failure, minimising the need for maintenance and eliminating the risk to wildlife. In addition, the turbines are more efficient than existing ones and can operate in slower tidal streams, allowing more installation sites.

The company is looking for industrial partners working in the field of installation and exploitation of tidal stream turbines, for joint further development of the product and commercial agreement. Specifically, the company is looking to provide turbines tailored for specific locations, which their commercial partners will install, maintain and exploit.

Innovative Aspects:
The novel technology does not use blades or a gearbox, severely reducing the chances of mechanical failure and the need for maintenance. The turbines have also been designed for ease of installation and maintenance.

Tidal stream turbines based on this technology show increased energy conversion, at 2.2 times existing bladed turbines.

The novel turbines can work in slower tidal streams than existing technologies, allowing more sites for installation and a wider window of energy generation on existing sites.

The turbines form a negligible physical barrier, allowing circulation of water and wildlife to continue unhampered.