Underwater turbine as a reliable source of electrical energy

Ocean currents carry a huge amount of energy, which is usually hidden under water. However, a new Ocean Energy turbine has the potential to use this renewable resource.

Developed by Crowd Energy Florida, Ocean Energy turbine is low-speed, has generator, high torque, and being on the seabed, uses constant power currents to produce electricity. Hidden under water, this turbine does not depend on weather changes, does not obscure the landscape, and has constant access to a stable and reliable ocean currents.

The turbine consists of a set of vane blades, operating on the principle of blinds. When the blade moves in one direction with the flow of her plates are closed and offer maximum resistance to flow, forcing water to push a turbine, thereby driving the generator which produces electricity. When the blade is rotated against the movement of water, the plates open, reducing resistance to a minimum and allowing the flow to pass freely between them.

This design has the largest possible area of the surface when the blades are in the cycle, and at the same time a minimal surface when moving against the flow and has proved the most effective when used with underwater currents.





The turbine is designed to withstand the tough marine environment, minimizing the impact on aquatic flora and fauna. High-torque, low-speed turbine operates at speeds similar to the speed of the floating fish that should not present any physical danger to marine life. Minimal noise as not to disturb the marine life.

Besides clean energy, the underwater turbine can desalinate water. "In fact, we are the pioneer of this concept. The turbine has an excess of torque, which can be used to drive high-pressure pumps for distillation reverse osmosis systems, and provide an inexhaustible source of not only electric energy and fresh water". To date, the project lacks only funding for the next stage of development.

From personal experience, the team does not intend to use the money of large investors, explaining that "the money of Large Corporations easy to get, but such agreements often contain pitfalls. We strive to make this project a reality without being bought and shelved in the back burner of competing energy suppliers. This is the main reason why we are seeking money through crowdfunding, while being a large enough company to win its own battle."

With crowdfunding, developers tend to improve the design of the first prototype and create the second, which will be tested in special tanks with laminar currents. After this, the team will begin an open testing and verification in natural waters using the Southeast National marine Energy center for renewable energy at Florida Atlantic University.

The developers hope to prove the efficiency of its technology, to improve the design, and then to begin work on a large-scale production of turbines, which can generate real electricity in the ocean. In the end, the Crowd Energy plans to place turbines with a diameter of 30 metres in a staggered array in deep water for the production of electric energy on an industrial scale. "We want to install large turbines below a stormy tide, so they can be a reliable source of energy for many decades. Long-term reliability and durability are key factors for Ocean Energy".



Source: facepla.net