Design of a Micro-hydrokinetic Power Generation SystemImplement an Oscillating Hydrofoil in river

Graduate Research AssistantInternational Arctic Research CenterDept. of Electrical & Computer EngineeringUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks

Rui Han, Jessica Cherry, Robert Kallenberg

Short Intro

Project DefinitionSurvey of the micro-hydro technology

and resources.

Design an oscillating hydro-foil energy conversion system for hydrokinetic electric power generation in river and tidal.

Background-Nation WideClimate change calls for renewable energyIn 2009, U.S. hydrokinetic Power ≤ 1 MKW, hydropower > 77,000 MKWAs of 2009, the FERC issued 146 applications to study 9,000 MKWPrediction: Hydrokinetic Energy could provide 13,000 MKW to the U.S. by 2025

EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2010

Quadrillion Btu

Background-State wideResources

Many big rivers90 % of U.S. tidal50% of U.S. wave

Energy PolicySB 220: 18 million increase to 250 million.HB 306: 50% renewable electricity by 2025.

Uneven Electricity Cost Across StateHigh energy cost for rural regions, most of

which are near rivers

TechnologyTurbine (Dominant)

Verticalaxis

• Easy deploy• Less efficient

Cross flow

• Modular design

• Mooring issues

Axial flow

• Most efficient• Unidirectional

RivGen™ by ORPC

“EnCurrent” by New Eenrgy

SmarTurbine™ by FFP

* Picture courtesy of the original company

Our TechnologyHeave and pitch movement

Motion controlled by the trim tab.

Less hazardous to fish

Genetically prevented from debris attacks

System Diagram

ExperimentPrototype manufacture • Hydrofoil• Scotch Yoke• PMG Coupling

Verify the original idea • Oscillating? • Linear to Rotational?

Estimate the capacity

ExperimentPrototype manufacture • Hydrofoil• Scotch Yoke• PMG Coupling

Verify the original idea • Oscillating? • Linear to Rotational?

Estimate the capacity

ExperimentPrototype manufacture • Hydrofoil• Scotch Yoke• PMG Coupling

Verify the original idea • Oscillating? • Linear to Rotational?

Estimate the capacity

ExperimentPrototype manufacture • Hydrofoil• Scotch Yoke• PMG Coupling

Verify the original idea • Oscillating? • Linear to Rotational?

Estimate the capacity

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ExperimentPrototype manufacture • Hydrofoil• Scotch Yoke• PMG Coupling

Verify the original idea • Oscillating? • Linear to Rotational?

Estimate the capacity

ExperimentPrototype manufacture • Hydrofoil• Scotch Yoke• PMG Coupling

Verify the original idea • Oscillating? • Linear to Rotational?

Estimate the capacity

Future workNumerical ModelingElectronic designSystem integrationOptimization Other electrical machinery choicesEconomic StudyCommercialization?

Thank you!

Acknowledgement to Alaska EPSCoR NSF award #EPS-0701898 and the state of Alaska.