 The Enermar project is aimed at exploiting the energy contained within marine currents through the use of an innovative patented Kobold turbine. The convenience of this type of renewable energy has been tested, and compares favourably with other types of environmentally-friendly energy such as solar and wind energy.
Ponte di Archimede International has carried out field research and experiments by erecting a platform equipped with a patented Kobold turbine in the Strait of Messina. In this way the Company has been able to gain the know-how needed to harness the energy produced by marine currents in the best possible way, thanks also to the collaboration with several European partners. Furthermore, a number of studies have been made to identify other sites in Europe suitable for producing electrical energy generated by marine currents. Together with the Institute of Energy Conversion of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, studies regarding the application of the ENERMAR system are currently in progress in the Strait of Jintang (Zhoushan Archipelago), People's Republic of China.
Kobold, a patented turbine, has been the result of such studies. Kobold is able to convert kinetic energy from marine currents into mechanical rotor energy with a high rendering. The Kobold turbine is a rotor mounted on a vertical shaft which produces mechanical energy by exploiting marine currents.
The Kobold turbine:
-Rotates independently of the direction of the current
-Has high torques that permit spontaneous starting even under intense conditions without the need of an ignition device.
The ENERMAR project offers several different economic opportunities:
-A new source of energy: energy extracted from marine currents is a great source of renewable energy, with a notable economic potential in parts of the world where traditional sources are not available or are too expensive.
-A new way of producing energy: the use of energy contained in marine currents, as a source of clean, renewable and consequently inextinguishable, energy, opens up new economic possibilities for the energy market.
In its current state the system has a global efficiency measured around 23%. This level of efficiency is comparable (if not superior) to that of wind turbines which have been under development for more than thirty years. Such results are extremely encouraging for making further and more detailed research. Tests are underway to improve components for mechanical transmission and connection to electrical generators. Judging by the calculations made at the end of the programmed operation, efficiency will be even higher.
Finally, a study has been made to link the quantity of energy that can be obtained in a year from the site where the turbine is currently installed, the Strait of Messina, to Ganzirri. The result indicates that about 22,000 Kilowatts per hour of useful energy can be extracted each year. In this site, considering the currents in the area, the total extractable energy is equal to 538Gwh.
|
