Australian company Tidal Energy has spent six years perfecting its design, developing a technology that could potentially supply low cost electricity and clean drinking water for coastal and riverside communities worldwide.
Tidal Energy worked with Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus during the development and testing stages of the patented turbine.
The company said the design had achieved a world record for the highest efficiency reached by a water turbine, its 384% efficiency trumping the previous 325% record set by Grumman Aerospace in the US.
The design is a submerged water-current turbine similar to a jet engine, drawing water through a patented cascading hydrofoil venturi system to turn an impellor that converts the kinetic energy of the water into mechanical energy that can power an electrical generator or desalination pumps.
Tidal Energy co-inventor Aaron Davidson said the technology could not only provide cheap, clean energy as an alternative to existing fossil fuel generators, but could also be used to lift the living standards of remote communities and third world countries by providing inexpensive power and desalinated water.
“Provided there is a steady current of around four knots, the turbine will deliver sufficient energy to power the generator,” Davidson said.
“Banks of these units could be positioned in the offshore southerly current that runs the length of the east coast of Australia to provide a very low-cost electricity supply for seaside communities.
“The units could also be installed on reef systems surrounding remote Pacific Islands and in river systems found throughout northern Australia and South East Asia.”
Tidal Energy said it was being courted by academic and government bodies from across the world, as its technology’s ability to generate constant, reliable and clean power from even low-intensity water currents was ideal for nations with many remote communities needing efficient, sustainable energy.
“Tidal Energy’s system overcomes the high cost of running diesel-powered generators in isolated communities, and by up-scaling the units for major power networks will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the world’s continuing dependence on fossil fuels,” Davidson said.
The revolutionary design has been recognised by the Queensland Government, receiving a Sustainable Energy Innovation Fund Grant, as well as Regional Business Development Scheme funding to help commercial development of the project.
Enquiries regarding Tidal Energy may be directed to Aaron Davidson on 07 5535 4421 or tidalenergy@yahoo.com.au
