‘Lunar Energy
is offering qualifying investors an opportunity to invest in
a new and revolutionary technology which will produce reliable, low cost electricity
from the earth’s natural tidal systems’
The Rotech Tidal Turbine
TECHNOLOGY
RTT - THE PRODUCT
Lunar Energy holds an exclusive worldwide licence to a unique, innovative technology concerned with generating renewable energy from tidal streams – known as the Rotech Tidal Turbine (RTT)
What is the RTT?
The RTT is a bi-directional horizontal axis turbine housed in a symmetrical venturi duct. The venturi draws the existing ocean currents into the RTT in order to capture and convert energy into electricity. Use of a gravity foundation will allow the RTT to be deployed quickly and with little or no seabed preparation at depths in excess of 40 metres. This gives the RTT a distinct advantage over most of its competitors and opens up a potential energy source that is 5 times the size of that available to companies using pile foundations.
“Overall, it is noted that deep sites (>40m) represent some 63% of the UK resource.”
Taken from the Carbon Trust/ Black & Veatch Report on UK Tidal Stream Energy (July 2005)
In its design and fabrication of the duct and its supporting structure Rotech has used technology and experience gained in the offshore oil & gas fabrication and installation industry. The foundation of the duct is 3 ballast filled legs on which the main frame, duct and turbine are positioned (Illustrated left). The design is load bearing and self-supporting without the need for extensive seabed preparations which allows for a rapid installation process.
Once in position the bi-directional ducted rotor with its symmetrical turbine blades uses the venturi shaped duct to accelerate tidal flows through the turbine and so increases the energy that can be captured by the turbine. The design of the RTT and its use of a venturi duct removes the need for a yawing mechanism at the turn of each tide to keep the device pointing directly into the tidal flow. The venturi shaped duct straightens the tidal flow as it approaches the turbine blades ensuring the optimimum angle of approach as well as maximum power extraction of the energy available in the flow. It also removes the need for blade pitch control. There are significant cost savings here in both design, build and maintenance. At the heart of Lunar Energy’s strategy has been the control of O & M costs. In a harsh marine environment the use of less complicated mechanisms reduces the technical risks and associated rectification costs.
A conventional power cable will remove the electricity to shore.
Summary of RTT Technology
Unique, innovative and unobtrusive technology.
Design focused O & M
Simple & robust
Modular – O & M concept involving removeable cassette
Complexity removed
No off-shore servicing
Bi-symmetrical horizontal axis turbine in a symmetrical venturi duct
Speeds flow through turbine
No yawing required
Efficient energy conversion
Three Leg Gravity Foundation
Allows rapid deployment in many seabed conditions and water depths with minimal seabed preparation
Gives RTT 5 times the potential in the UK market when compared to systems that can only operate in depths of < 40m (Black & Veatch July 2005)
Minimal impact on the environment, marine life, shipping and marine useage. Visit the environment section for more information
