The world of renewable energies is on the cusp of pioneering steps ahead with the arrival of Minesto’s Dragon 12, an undersea turbine. The innovative system is poised to harness marine currents’ power to generate electricity, enough to power 1,000 homes. Here is an overview of such breakthrough development.
Introducing the Dragon 12: A groundbreaking underwater turbine ready to transform renewable energy
Minesto’s Dragon 12 is 30 tonnes and 40 feet wide and is designed to yield 1.2 megawatts (MW) of electricity. The “tidal power station” is neon-colored, eye-catching yellow, and swims against sea currents like a kite penetrating the air. Its onboard system turns its rudders to direct it in an 8-shape pattern to maximize power generation.
The Dragon 12 is innovative and efficient in design. By breaking through ahead of surrounding waters, the turbine speed boosts relative flow, and thus power generation, by several multiples. The innovative concept is innovative relative to any power-harnessing technologies for tides, and thus, Dragon 12 is a game-changer in renewable power.
How it works: The science behind the pioneering tidal energy technology
The Dragon 12 is driven on the principle of flight in flight through a kite. The water currents produce a thrust force of hydrodynamic, and through it, power is driven to the kite, thus powering the turbine. The turbine shaft turns and spins in a generator to produce electricity. Electric electricity is transmitted to the power grid through a subsea cable tether and umbrella line on the ocean floor.
This method is green and efficient. The turbine’s in-and-outflow of water ensures electricity is free flow, making it an assured renewable power source (another renewable power source discussed here). Dragon 12’s power-harnessing ability in ocean currents is future-looking for renewable power generation.
To power their towns, Minesto’s Dragon 12 is already on course to achieve an initial breakthrough in connecting and power-supplying 1.2 MW of electricity to the Faroe Island power grid. The breakthrough inspires technological advancement in tide power. The power produced by Dragon 12 is sufficient to power 1000 homes in a small township and, hence, has no noticeable impact on local power needs.
Looking ahead: Minesto’s plans for scaling up and expanding tidal energy to more regions
The success of Dragon 12 is a testament to Minesto’s commitment to sustainability and ingenuity. Minesto’s commitment to its underwater kite technology, fine-tuning and perfecting its design for years, has ultimately borne fruit. Dragon 12’s recent achievements are a clear testament to Minesto’s diligent efforts toward a greener and cleaner world.
Minesto’s vision for the future features extending the use of underwater turbine technology. The company plans to partner with a local utility company in the Faroe Islands to build a 120 MW system with around 100 tidal kite turbines. If realized, the project could provide up to 40% of the archipelago’s electricity needs, greatly reducing its dependency on fossil fuels.
In addition to the Dragon 12, Minesto has developed the smaller Dragon 4 turbine. The small turbine generates 100 kW of electricity, is highly transportable, and is designed to fit into a standard shipping container. The Dragon 4 microgrid application provides an integrated and scalable solution for remote areas and off-grid locations.
A bright future for tidal energy, as Minesto leads the charge toward a greener world
The launch of Minesto’s underwater Dragon 12 turbine marks a major milestone in the quest for sustainable energy solutions. By capturing the power of ocean currents, the Dragon 12 offers a reliable and effective clean electricity source. With plans to expand and scale up the technology, Minesto is positioned to significantly impact the renewable energy landscape.
As the world seeks alternatives to fossil fuels, innovations like the Dragon 12 provide hope for a greener, more sustainable future. Minesto’s underwater turbine (more on underwater turbine) technology’s success is a message of human ingenuity’s power and renewable energy; it can change our world.
