Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DP Renewables (A range of economically viable, innovative and proven HydroKinetic turbines that will enable users to exploit the huge potential of clean, predictable energy in the world’s rivers, canals and estuarie)

Teaser

DP RENEWABLES targets the design, fabrication and testing of a novel hydrokinetic turbine, as well as definition of a detailed business plan, to support generation of renewable electricity from river and estuary flows. The novel hydrokinetic turbine will be designed as a...

Summary

DP RENEWABLES targets the design, fabrication and testing of a novel hydrokinetic turbine, as well as definition of a detailed business plan, to support generation of renewable electricity from river and estuary flows. The novel hydrokinetic turbine will be designed as a drop-in moored device that can be deployed singularly or in arrays. The design improves the energy capture from water flows to significantly increase hydro-power generation efficiency. It will reduce capital and operating costs while minimising environmental impact from deployment, all of which will facilitate a much wider exploitation of the substantial “free” energy resource available in river and estuary water flows, both in the EU and globally.

The novel technology is configured as a bluff body deployment vessel that accelerates water flows into dual vertically aligned hydrokinetic turbines, which drive power generation devices. The novelty arises both in the design of the unit as well as in the control system that regulates the rotation of the turbines to match the set power output requirements as determined by the specified energy user. Commercialisation of this technology will include development of both a 25kw and 60kw output units, which offers scalability that can support both private end-user and public grid-distributed power generation. The business plan will identify viable business models relevant to specific target markets ranging from deployment in built-up urban areas or in remote sites that have no other viable option for power generation, potentially offering cost effective solutions to energy poverty in remote areas. This clean energy technology can increasingly support displacement of diesel or natural gas fuelled power generation to de-carbonise the energy mix. It provides a hydro-based technology that does not require invasive damming of water flows, improving power generation sustainability in accordance with EU and international sustainability objectives.

Work performed

To date DP RENEWABLES has:

• Developed a comprehensive Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model of the hydrokinetic unit that supports an accurate projection of the power outputs expected from deployment in water flows of varying characteristics

• Modified and completed the detail design of the 25kw unit in response to CFD modelling results to ease deployment constraints and optimise kinetic energy capture from variable water flows

• Procured and fabricated components for an automated power take off for the 25kw device incorporating an automated power take off control unit that controls the rotational speed of the turbines to control the power output in accordance with the design specifications and synchronises the power output with the respective grid (end user) specifications. The Company has undertaken extensive bench testing of the unit and the control system in preparation for field tests scheduled to commence shortly.

• Procured and fabricated components of the vessel body and frame required to house the 25kw generation unit, assembly and commissioning of which is expected to be completed imminently

• Agreed a contract for a deployment test site and services to validate operational performance and environmental impact of the 25kw unit which is expected to commence later this summer (2018)

• Commenced detailed design of the 60kw unit to be completed late summer 2018

• Published the tender for supply of the 60kw motor, gearbox, power take off converter and control unit

• Published the tender for supply of a test site to validate performance of the 60kw unit

• Developed the marketing strategy and a prepared a corresponding business plan to support commercial deployment of the technology, as well as identifying a potential first commercial deployment opportunity

• Commenced dissemination activities to generate interest in development activities and solicit future commercial deployment opportunities, identifying a proposed site for the initial commercial deployment

Final results

DP RENEWABLES is developing a hydrokinetic turbine technology capable of supplying clean, reliable renewable power to displace fossil fuelled electricity in developed economies as well as provide cost effective options to generate reliable power in rural / poor locations who do not have access to grid sourced power. The novel technology is moored to river and estuary beds, facilitating capture of the kinetic power in river flows and tidal movements avoiding the need for invasive construction of large scale dams or fixed hydro-power infrastructure. This significantly reduces the relative deployment cost and minimises environmental impact, avoiding threats to marine life or eco-systems. The environmentally friendly technology exploits a predictable energy source to minimise variability in renewable power outputs, providing a predictable, reliable source of hydropower. The scalable technology is capable of being deployed in individual units or in arrays, facilitating supply for a wide range of energy demands.

The design and modelling work undertaken in the first stages of the project have simplified the initial designs and resulted in modifications to vessel body and frame mountings designed to accelerate water flows into the turbines, improving energy capture which is expected to result in improved efficiencies and ease of operation relative to other hydrokinetic turbine designs. The system utilises a simplified power take-off design incorporating off-the-shelf electricity generation components, coupled with a novel control system that converts the kinetic power of the water flow into a stable, useful form of electricity. These modifications will contribute to a reduction in the levelised unit cost for hydro-energy. The modelling work has improved the methods for projecting power outputs and have led to improvements in expected generation efficiencies, which will be validated during testing in the 2nd half of the project.

Website & more info

More info: https://designprorenewables.com/.