Renewable energy sources are in ever increasing demand as we strive to move away from a fossil-fuel-based economy. In-stream tidal energy extraction is one renewable resource available in the United States that shows great promise for implementation. In-stream devices extract energy from tidal currents in the ocean and in near-ocean estuaries. Tidal in-stream turbines extract kinetic energy from the stream flowing through the turbine. However, the energy density per turbine is relatively low, ranging from 0.1 to about 2 kW/m
2. Thus in order to extract a reasonable portion of the energy flowing through, a tidal site must be populated with an array of turbines. There is a lack of data and studies on both the performance of such tidal devices as well as the effects of these devices on the local ecosystem.The goal of this project is to build and test rudimentary tidal turbine that can be designed, built and tested in the two tank in one year. This is a high priority project which could impact the economy of Maine and the university research directions. Support on this project will come from Maine Maritime faculty, a graduate student working on the project, faculty at MIT and a number of UMaine faculty working on research and conceptual design for the use of tidal energy for the Maine economy.
A team working on this project should be dedicated to producing a working system at the end of the year with performance curves obtained using the tow tank in the Aquaculture Research Center. Field testing is an option if the team so desires.
More pictures and information at:
http://www.lookintoireland.com/energy.htm