Minesto, a Swedish-based tidal energy company, has developed a new concept for tidal power generation called Deep Green that uses the magnified power of the ocean to generate electricity even in areas of low tidal velocity.
Minesto’s technology consists of a wing, that resembles the kite, and the electricity is produced when the water current creates a hydrodynamic lift force on the wing which pushes the kite forward. The wing includes watertight compartments for buoyancy system, batteries and pressure sensors.
According to Minesto, the secret behind Deep Green is that it reaches a speed 10 times higher than the water current, just like the kite flies faster than the wind.
The kite is steered in an 8-shaped trajectory by a rudder, and as the kite moves, water flows through the turbine and electricity is produced in the gearless generator. The electricity is then transmitted through a cable via a tether attached to the wing, to the subsea cables that are connected to the shore.
To remind, in May this year, Minesto was awarded €13 mln from the European Regional Development Fund for the installation of the first commercial scale 500 kW Deep Green tidal power plant planned for summer 2017. It will be located in Holyhead Deep, off Holyhead Island in Wales.
Video: Al Jazeera; Image: Minesto