'Underwater kite' aims to turn energy tide
London, England (CNN) -- A new type of tidal turbine which its creators describe as an "underwater kite" has taken a step closer to becoming commercially available.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- New tidal-energy device "Deep Green" aims to keep energy supplies afloat
- Underwater kite has recently received new financial backing and will begin tests in 2011
- Device spans 12 meters and will be tethered to the ocean floor
Collected from: 'Underwater kite' aims to turn energy tide - CNN.com
Deep Green
The kite consists of a wing, which is provided with a turbine and a generator, attached to the seabed by a tether. Hydrodynamic forces on the kite caused by the current velocity makes the kite to move and by a control system it is taken in a certain trajectory. The speed of the kite determines the flow velocity to the turbine, which is increased by about ten times the current speed. The electricity is transmitted onshore through a power cable inside the tether. With a wing span of 12 m the kite is designed to run at a speed of 16 m/s at a current velocity around 1.6 m/s. Animated movie.
Comparison
Deep Green | Other Tidal Technologies | Off-shore Wind | |
Rated Power: | 0.5 MW | 1 MW | 2 MW |
Weight/Effect: | 14 tonnes/MW | 50-600 tonnes/MW | >200 tonnes/MW |
Mean Velocity: | 1.6 m/s | 2.5 m/s | 8 m/s |
Cost/KWh: | €0.06-0.14 | €0.15-0.30 | €0.10-0.12 |
Collected from: Home
Collected from: YouTube - Minesto Tidal Energy
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