1 | Program Name or Ancillary Text eere.energy.gov

Water Power Peer Review

Poncelet Kinetics RHK100 Prototype Steven SelvaggioWhitestone Power and Communicationssteven.wsmech@gmail.com907-803-3021September 23, 2011

2 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov

Purpose, Objectives & Integration

[Describe the challenges, barriers, knowledge gaps, or problems that this project addresses.]The vast majority of hydrokinetic research has been focused on the search for a more efficient turbine. The result of this research has been highly technical systems requiring deep water, clean flows and well developed infrastructure. This project has worked to develop a technology that will survive in the harshest conditions, can operate in shallow water, utilize COTS technology to increase up-time and is able to operate without significant impacts to highly sensitive aquatic environments.

[Describe how solving this problem relates to the Program’s mission and objectives.]The Program’s stated goal of improving the stability of America’s energy supply while also diminishing environmental impacts is the focus of this project. The problem of unreliable and expensive energy in rural America is one that has long been unaddressed: this project is the first step toward rectifying this deficiency.

3 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov

Technical Approach

[Describe the technical approach or methods used to achieve the project objective(s).]

The project utilized finite element modeling and solid modeling to develop the design from a concept to a manufacturable system. This iterative design method was supplemented by intensive research to identify and collaborate with the most technically competent contractors available in order to create a synergistic design capable of immediate market integration. The contributions of experts in the fields of electronics controls, power transmission and high-tech materials manufacturing, combined with the design expertise of the PI team, resulted in the achievement of the project goals.

[Identify key issues currently being addressed and their significance.]

1. Survivability: The inability to operate in shallow water, survive debris impingement or operate reliably with little maintenance have been the most significant failures of the hydrokinetic industry. This design has abandoned the contemporary approach to hydrokinetic development to create a system able to survive in the harshest conditions.

2. Environmental Friendliness: The cost of obtaining the necessary permits for hydrokinetic projects is frequently as much as half of the total cost of a research installation. Hence, the survival of the small-scale hydrokinetic industry depends on the development of designs which can demonstrate small impacts to riverine habitats. This has been one of the main goals of this project and it is the only design which has received all the necessary permits for full deployment in Alaska.

3. Versatility: Most hydrokinetic technologies are designed to operate in a very specific energy structure, either on the infinite grid or in parallel with small diesel power plants. This project has integrated a technology that allows it to operate on the infinite grid, in parallel with any small system or as a stand-alone, on-demand power generation solution. As such, it is uniquely able to be integrated into any existing infrastructure or stand alone in rural communities.

4 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov

Technical Approach

[Emphasize unique aspects of approach.]

The approach used for this development project is unique in that the development of the turbine technology was not separate from considerations of manufacturability, durability, environmental friendliness, versatility and utility. Most of the development of hydrokinetic technologies has taken place in a staged process in which the turbine technology is developed based on pure theoretical efficiency and then an application for that technology is sought. In this case, the application was identified and the technology developed to best suit the needs identified. This has resulted in the development of a technology that is uniquely suited to reliably produce power at low cost under the most difficult circumstances.

5 | Wind and Water Power Program eere.energy.gov

Plan, Schedule & Budget

Schedule• Initiation date: October 1, 2010• Planned completion date: September 23, 2011

– The completion date is later than originally planned due to delays in the manufacturing of prototype components.

• The project has been completed in full and the final technical report has been submitted to DOE for approval.

Budget: • The project went over budget in both time and funding. The additional

funding and time was supplied in full by the applicant resulting in a larger than expected cost share.

• 100% of the project budget has been expended.

Budget History

FY2009 FY2010 FY2011

DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share DOE Cost-share

$142,050.00 $59,140.25