User:Cupelsteve/sandbox

OblinArk, also called hydrokinetic power barge, utilises floating water wheels as a form of hydropower that converts the energy of Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity (ROR) into electricity generation.

Although water wheel technology has been in use for centuries, a more updated approach to the use of water wheels has not yet been fully exploited and with the available incentives from the Feed-in tariff Scheme (FITs), there is now an opportunity for a relatively low cost, flexible solution.

With government incentives to allow microgeneration to compete fairly with big scale energy production. For decentralisation of scaled energy generation to happen at scale; customers must have easy access to micro generation.

With an abundant flow of water from rivers which are more predictable than wind energy and solar power, hydrokinetic generation has excellent potential.

OblinArk

The OblinArk is based on a boat design with an integral series of water wheels. Its size is fully scalable and modulated, dependant on the local environment. There is no reason why versions, several times larger than the first production models cannot be built and implemented.

This makes it ideal to be located any where on the water way, which has suitable mooring, water velocity and economical connection to grid.

Utilising the existing waterways to produce carbon free energy. The Ark will provide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year of generation unlike its counterparts wind and solar which have a much higher reliance on suitable conditions.

The design and quality is aimed to limit any down time required for maintenance over a 20 year life span.

Ideal to be located anywhere on the water way, which has a suitable mooring and water velocity.

The "OblinArk" with its low draft, allows delivery to the remotest of locations and provides flexibility to re-position the "OblinArk" into the ideal location should conditions change.

It provides flexibility to position the OblinArk into the ideal location should conditions change.

It has a covered wheel area which provides safety as well as excellent looks. The design is intended not to look out of place in any location.

Safety is integral to the design.

Simple, low maintenance highly durable equipment has been selected, taking advantage of competitive standard parts virtually off the shelf. The selection for development of this 24/7 application, in this case is ideal, when compared to some of the principle alternatives being offered, such as (1) solar power - subject to daylight hours, (2) wind power - limited to optimum generation during specific wind strengths and (3) tidal power - must account for tidal cycle and the variable tidal head.

Low RPM Permanent Magnet Generators (PMG) are now more widely available as micro generation becomes more accessible. This allows for economic solutions in selection of suitable equipment, bringing them well within the reach of the needs encountered by hydraulic engineers for this application.

There are currently two Ark options, 90Kw and 180Kw. Each model can be linked together to offer additional generation from a single site. Bespoke versions and arrays can be designed using the same principles to meet even the largest of energy needs.

The OblinArk offers a unique minimal disruption implementation compared to Solar, Wind and Tidal solutions.

Carbon Savings

A 180kw Ark will save 600 tonnes of carbon production a year against coal generation.

Generating 1103760 kwh per year which supplies 230 average houses with green electricity. (average annual consumption 4800 kwh).

Ecological

The "OblinArk" is a low impact solution and has been developed to co-exist within the environment and support the wildlife habitat.

   No long implementation times with disruption to water flows.
   No major civil works
   No impoundment
   No confinement of fish
   No change to existing fish passes or fish migration paths
   No turbine damage to fish
   No depletion of water flow
   No hindrance to the natural movement of sediment and gravel
   No increase to vulnerability of fish from predators
   

Example Locations

The worlds top 10 rivers are ideal for using this approach to energy generation.

River	Locations	Length in miles
Nile	Africa	4130
Amazon	South America	3912
Mississippi	United States	3710
Yangtze	China	3602
Ob	Russia	3459
Yellow	China	2900
Yenisei	Russia	2800
Parana	South America	2795
Irtish	Russia	2758
Congo	Congo	2716

See also

• Hydroelectricity
• Ocean energy
• Thermal energy
• World energy resources and consumption

Notes

• Baker, A. C. 1991, Tidal power, Peter Peregrinus Ltd., London.
• Baker, G. C., Wilson E. M., Miller, H., Gibson, R. A. & Ball, M., 1980. "The Annapolis tidal power pilot project", in Waterpower '79 Proceedings, ed. Anon, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, pp 550–559.
• Hammons, T. J. 1993, "Tidal power", Proceedings of the IEEE, [Online], v81, n3, pp 419–433. Available from: IEEE/IEEE Xplore. [July 26, 2004].
• Lecomber, R. 1979, "The evaluation of tidal power projects", in Tidal Power and Estuary Management, eds. Severn, R. T., Dineley, D. L. & Hawker, L. E., Henry Ling Ltd., Dorchester, pp 31–39.

External links

• Enhanced tidal lagoon with pumped storage and constant output as proposed by David J.C. MacKay, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK.
• Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Database The U.S. Department of Energy's Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Database provides up-to-date information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy, both in the U.S. and around the world.
• Severn Estuary Partnership: Tidal Power Resource Page
• Location of Potential Tidal Stream Power sites in the UK
• University of Strathclyde ESRU-- Detailed analysis of marine energy resource, current energy capture technology appraisal and environmental impact outline
• Coastal Research - Foreland Point Tidal Turbine and warnings on proposed Severn Barrage
• Sustainable Development Commission - Report looking at 'Tidal Power in the UK', including proposals for a Severn barrage
• World Energy Council - Report on Tidal Energy
• European Marine Energy Centre - Listing of Tidal Energy Developers -retrieved 1 July 2011
• Resources on Tidal Energy

Category:Coastal construction Category:Tides