Vertical axis tidal turbine
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A tidal stream energy turbine that would be attached to a mooring rather than a rigid foundation could cut the cost and complexity of tidal energy installations.
The concept, from UK start-up company Cormarent, is being promoted this week in the US by the SETsquared Partnership, an organisation that aims to foster early-stage technology businesses spun out from universities in Southern England.
Cormarent’s vertical axis device concept, which has been analytically modelled and tested in the laboratory, is designed to take water flows from any direction without loosing efficiency.
David McSherry, creator of Cormarent, said the turbine incorporates concentric rotors that are designed to counter rotate, a feature that provides better buoyancy. He added that the device is held in position by tension leg mooring and does not need to be rigidly mounted to the seabed. McSherry said that this allows the device to be installed midstream and in water that is more energetic.
’We’re looking at our device going up to as high as 2MW in the more energetic flows,’ he added.
Cormarent’s 1MW units are being designed for waters deeper than 40m, but McSherry said that the devices could theoretically be designed for waters up to 150m in depth. The device’s main selling point, he added, will be the ease of its installation and operation.
McSherry said he expects the cost of electricity per megawatt hour generated from the turbine to be comparable to coal-fired power plants with carbon-capture and storage technology or new nuclear plants.
A scale model of the turbine with a range of 100-200kw will be built for marine trials within two years, he said.
Readers' comments (3)
Don Pratt - Vertical axis tidal turbine | 11 Nov 2009 1:36 pm
I am sure your turbines could produce electricity but how would you get it to shore? The cable connection would have to be flexible and withstand constant movement. To carry 1MW over any distance would require at least 3KV. Such a cable might last six months. A field of these turbines feeding a transformer 'hub' platform may be an option. A more rigid foundation would give a longer life to the cables. I like the idea. Best regards. Don
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SUSAN EYRE | 15 Apr 2010 6:06 pm
A perfect solution for our free-flowing rivers -no dams needed!
Could be installed in tandem with bridges thus providing conduit for electricity
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Ray Lee | 4 Jul 2010 11:59 am
I agree with Don Pratt. I have some thirty years working in the channel/undwater, the best idea is to pole drive the anchorage with variations. Not seeing your system makes it difficult to comment. My experience with any floating structure is flirting with danger.
Another solution to the cable ashore problem is to enhance existing wind turbines offshore, they need the help!
I also have a tidal wheel that works in low tidal streams - fixed to the seabed but working in an air envionmemt - no special seals ! it would be interesting to compare
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