Irish tidal energy developer GKinetic Energy has been granted patent protection in Australia for its ‘Power Generating Water Turbine Assembly’.
This is another significant milestone in the company’s commercialization plans, as the the patent refers to a key knowledge item for the technology – the bluff body, said GKinetic .
The GKinetic technology’s bluff body is a tear drop shaped vessel placed in between two vertical axis turbines.
The shape of the vessel speeds up the natural flow of water into the turbines. The design, combined with the patented Blade Pitch Control System, results in higher power outputs for end users, according to GKinetic.
The technology is being developed in a step by step collaborative approach by working with industry and academic partners on various different projects. The patent grant from Australia represents a major step in further developing the technology closer to commercialization, said GKinetic.
The company’s strategic partner DesignPro Renewables recently deployed its 25kW device at the SEENEOH test site in Bordeaux, France, as part of the Horizon 2020-funded project.
In addition, GKinetic is currently consortium partners in the Horizon 2020 funded +CityxChange project to make Limerick, Ireland and Trondheim, Norway smart cities which could potentially see the first grid connected tidal turbine in Ireland.
The goal of this project is to have the smart city model replicated in other locations across Europe and potentially around the globe.