Following several years of research, the University of Adelaide´s team, which has been developing the Sustainable Marine Current Energy (SMCE) turbine, is thinking of commercializing the device, says the EcoGeneration news site.
In 2009, the University has engaged the final-year students in development of a prototype marine current turbine. At that time a simplified scale model that optimized diffuser configuration came to life.
Two years later, the project developed to a stage when optimizing a state-of-the art blade configuration incorporating tubercles, based on the concept of pectoral fins on a Humpback Whale, took place. This resulted in energy production continuing in a wider range of current flows, where old-style blades could not function well.
Currently, a new team behind the 2012 version of the SMCE is preoccupied with the design, optimization, and construction and testing of a larger-scale axial flow marine current turbine, incorporating both a slotted channeling device and tubercles. .
Finally, the turbine is scheduled to be manufactured and tested in a marine environment in the next few months. The developers expect results which will encourage investors to recognize the project as worthy and give room for its commercialization.
[mappress]
Offshore WIND Staff, July 19, 2012