Underwater Kite Harnesses Ocean Energy
A completely new concept of underwater wave energy using a simple 7 ton kite turbine design has been developed by Minesto; which is a spinoff from the Swedish military and aircraft design firm Saab. The Deep Green underwater turbine captures the power of the ocean just like a kite in wind.
The system could generate 18 terawatthours of energy annually, enough to provide nearly 4 million British households with reliably green electricity every year. UK households now use about a third of what average US households use in energy.
- » See also: WaveRoller Uses Swinging Door for Underwater Wave Energy
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Originally Saab was working on a kite design for a wind turbine, but found that the concept would actually work better in water, which is 832 times more dense than air.
The kite twirls in a repeating figure eight pattern (video) that increases the ocean velocity ten-fold. The first stage increases the relative flow speed entering a turbine. When the tide hits the wing it turns down, which creates a lift force. The kite is mounted to the ocean bed with a tether and is controlled by a rudder to gently nudge it in the desired trajectory.
According to Minesto’s website, each megawatt-worth of kite(s) would weigh 14 tons, so it would seem that each 7 ton kite is a 500 KW unit. According to CEO Anders Jansson’s estimate, these could probably produce power for somewhere between $0.09 cents and $0.20 cents per kwh.
Certainly because these are such extremely simple-tech structures they would be cost effective - costing less in materials per power produced, and costing less in transporting them to the site, in installing them and even in ongoing maintenance costs.
Almost half the potential in Europe is in British waters, with the ocean moving an average of 1 to 2 metres per second between 60 and 120 metres below the surface.
The Carbon Trust based in the UK gave early development support. Minesto’s Deep Green is now funded in part by the UK and Swedish governments, and has nearly $3 million in additional capital from parent company Saab Group, Midroc New Technology, Verdane Capital and Encubator.
With these kinds of serious investors, and such a simple and cost effective design, this could be what gets wave power to the world.
Image: Minesto Deep Green
Source: ekopolitan
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This really seems like a unique clean energy technology. But does it work? And most importantly, can it be scaled — aka — can this technology ever go commercial?
I wonder what impact it would have on marine biology
@giovanni, if you look at their video I linked, the thing moves very slowly - about like a whale, so that’s ok.
I wonder though about little fish getting chopped up in that turbine head. I’ve emailed for info to see…
This is a very bad idea.
This thing is converting the ocean currents into the electrical energy.
And any kind of disturbance to the ocean currents will be a disaster.
My suggestion to you try converting the ocean waves into the electrical energy.
Kites seem like an interesting idea. I always wondered if enough power came out of it; never see data on what they can produce for real. They get a computer to fly them and maybe a little power; but I never hear the scalability and how much power and upkeep the demo units take. Plus they take a lot of sky space and you have the fun of trying to get it up in the sky…
A water version sounds like a GREAT GREAT IDEA! Might even be usable in this form, plus we don’t use that space like we do the sky (air plane regulations.) I am concerned about how they generate power; the kites had propellers on them, these look like turbines. in this area, the air was easier– water wear and junk getting in the turbine?
Some people don’t like the aesthetics of wind power, this would be totally hidden from human view, which would be great.
looks and sounds like an underwater blender scary at best for fish comunity
The problem with this solution is the cost of maintenance. Corrosion, wear and tear and growth of marine organisms will all limit the life span of such devices. What is the estimated lifespan and cost of total replacement? The potential power is massive, but so is the cost of maintenance and replacement.
Also what is environmental impact? If there are accidents, say killing sea creatures, how bad can it get?
Also what is environmental impact? If there are accidents, say killing sea creatures, how bad can it get?
It’s all out of sight.
Nick