Crowd Energy, having completed construction and successful testing of its first generation prototype of the Ocean Energy Turbine, will launch a major Kickstarter campaign in March 2014 to construct a second generation turbine and move the project to (SNMREC) Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center at Florida Atlantic University for verification and open water testing.
Ocean energy has a substantial advantage over wind power and solar power. The quantity of energy available from ocean energy greatly exceeds that of wind and solar. Ocean energy production is also a consistent reliable source of energy, whereas solar and wind power are limited by the availability of sun and wind.
Crowd Energy is going to Kickstarter to raise $75,000 to construct the second generation turbine and a laminar flow test tank. If the funding goal is exceeded, there are a number of “Stretch Goals” that will allow Crowd Energy to accelerate development of the Ocean Energy Turbine.
Rather than seek corporate funding for expansion of the Ocean Energy Turbine project, Crowd Energy is turning to Kickstarter where it can be funded by Eco minded individuals who understand that it is all of our responsibility to support a responsible and sustainable transition to renewable energy.
Todd Janca, the founder of Crowd Energy and the inventor of the Ocean Energy Turbine said: “Kickstarter’s are a very intelligent group of people who selflessly make what they care about possible. They generally have a technical or environmental background mixed with a strong passion for the arts. We could not ask for a better group of people to support us in our efforts to make their world a better place to live.”
Press release, February 6, 2014; Image: crowdenergy