Totally Tidal Energy

by Jeni Bone on 6 May 2009 One home-grown company has managed to harness the power of the waves, generating record amounts of power and opening up avenues of clean, green energy that are attracting interest from around the world.

The intriguing turbines and paraphernalia of Tidal Energy has been a familiar sight on Gold Coast waterways, trialing the company’s renewable energy water technology. In fact, for the past decade, the team has been collecting data and testing and honing its patented creations in an effort to produce 'clean, green energy from moving water'.

Aaron Davidson, Co-founder and Director of Tidal Energy, believes that the company’s turbine and patented Venturi concept, created by founders Aaron Davidson and Craig Hill, is on the brink of international exposure and success, with interest from regions as diverse as Pakistan, Bosnia, Canada and at home in Queensland.

In October 2003, Tidal Energy Pty Ltd researchers Davidson and Hill achieved the world record result of the highest efficiency 3.84 times (compared to an open turbine in free stream) ever achieved from a water current turbine, eclipsing the former record of 3.25 times set by Grumman Aero Space engineers in 1978.

Tidal Energy was recently awarded patent status for its Davidson-Hill model.

Tidal Energy attributes a large part of its success to its industry and government partnerships, such as with Griffith University Centre for Coastal Management, Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government.

For more than a decade, the team of engineers and scientists has been working on developing different versions of the turbine. The advantages of this type of energy generation are that it’s clean, renewable, portable and these days, accumulates carbon credits. The only thing it requires to operate is an area of tidal or river flow.

Bill Meywes, Chairman of Tidal Energy, explains that while wave and wind power are nothing new, Tidal Energy has developed a truly unique system, known as ‘venturi’, that creates incredible amounts of energy.

In essence, a venturi is a constriction or narrowing of flow in a channel or pipe. This constriction causes a relative velocity increase and pressure drop as flow speeds up through the constriction.

'There’s nothing new about turbine technology, but it’s the venturi system around it that increases the power it generates.'

Using a smaller turbine for strong flow and larger unit for slower flow, Tidal Energy is looking at helping companies and communities reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

In areas of good tidal flow, the energy can be harnessed to generate power.

'For example, on South Stradbroke Island there is an Aboriginal community that could use tidal technology,' says Meywes.

Isolated from the mainland, South Stradbroke Island just off the Gold Coast is dependent upon diesel generation for electricity supplies and for sanitation. A trial DHV Turbine has been proposed that would supply the island with a clean green renewable energy source.

'It would halve the cost to communities heavily reliant on diesel. Along the East Coast Current you could put an array of turbines, producing gigawatts of electricity in times of peak demand.

'There are so many solutions and applications. An oil tanker out to sea, sitting at anchor, could use our system to power itself instead of expensive, polluting fuel,' adds Meywes. 'Another advantage is that it’s cheaper than wind or solar or any other form of energy that we’re aware of.'

Meywes, a lawyer by training and with a background in finance and sales, was appointed just over a year ago to guide the fledgling company in the optimal direction to attain its full potential.

'As with many companies, there have been a few false starts with interested parties seeking to be involved, but it’s my role to ensure that now the technological model is perfected and we’re ready to go, everything is done properly – I’s dotted and T’s crossed.'

Tidal Energy is currently working with the Queensland government, power companies and several countries interested in the concept. Says Meywes: 'The state government’s ‘clean energy’ department is providing good support for us, arranging potential introductions and helping us navigate the hurdles of the different levels of government.'

Tidal Energy has developed a standardized working model that people willing to trial in their own environments can invest in and see for themselves. The demonstration unit can be used to prove the concept. Step one is to buy the turbine for around AUD$30,000. The next step is Tidal Energy will send an engineer to assess requirements and design a specific system to meet requirements.

'The academic results are one thing, but working in situ is more convincing,' says Meywes. 'People need to touch, feel and see it in action to prove it to themselves. Our trial turbine fits into container. We can send it to people to conduct their further testing and then, when they’re satisfied, they order.'

On its side are reams of credible third party endorsements. 'We are ready to go. Testing stages have been passed and verified by leading third parties, including Griffith University.'

'We are world leaders in this technology,' continues Meywes, justifiably proud, 'Independent sources show that. There are other companies, including recent trials in the UK from other companies with massive assistance from the government. Theirs mostly consists of ‘two large props on a stick’. It’s much more expensive and to my mind, less effective. But they have the benefit of tens of millions of pounds Sterling. With our system and our results, we would literally blow them out of the water!'

And why the Gold Coast? 'That just happens to be where we all live! We’re boating enthusiasts and love the water. These days, there’s no such thing as borders. You can do business as easily from home as from any of the major cities. Technology is the key.'

As for when we can expect to see a roll out of Tidal Energy technology, Meywes is optimistic. 'We are on the verge of commercialization. The first order could come from the Australian power company or Canadian syndicate, from Bosnia or Pakistan. It could come from any or all of these.'

More at http://tidalenergy.net.au/