Experimental marine current turbine to be installed in Dalälven
On Thursday 7 March the first real experimental plant for marine current power is being installed in river Dalälven near Söderfors in Sweden. The turbine will be able to capture renewable energy from the river and produce electricity.
“This is completely new technology that has been developed by our skilled doctoral students and researchers here at the Ångström Laboratory”, says Professor Mats Leijon who leads development of technology for renewable energy at Uppsala University, one of the global leaders in the field of ocean energy.
In rivers, straits and oceans there are water currents that constitute a renewable source of energy with large potential in many areas, especially in places with strong tidal currents. The project at Uppsala University investigates the possibilities of transforming kinetic energy into electricity using new technology. The experimental power plant consists of a vertical axis turbine connected directly to a generator that has been adapted to the water’s movements.
The aim of the Söderfors project is to run an experimental power plant under realistic conditions. The plant includes the turbine, generator and a foundation on the river bed as well as a cable drawn to a cabin on land housing the measurement instruments. It will be placed downstream of the main bridge across river Dalälven in central Söderfors.
You can read more about the science behind the technology here.
Anneli Waara