Submerged water current turbines

Abstract

Technologies to harness ocean current energy are at an early developing stage, and only a few prototypes and demonstration units have yet been tested. Ocean currents are potentially significant and currently untapped resource of energy. Ocean currents thus contain an abundant source of energy that can be captured and converted to a usable form. This paper discusses the performance of three different types of Savonius rotors used as water current turbines. Rotors design and test results in a tow tank are presented. All three rotors have same cross sectional area. Test results shows that double stage rotor has lower cut-in speed and produces higher torque when compared to single and three stage rotor design. These rotors were tested to determine a suitable water current turbine for a micro seafloor power generation system.