Exploration of bi-directional VETT configuration

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Hydropower, Small hydropower (less than 10 MW))
Renewable Energy Sources(Ocean Energy)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
VerdErg Renewable Energy Ltd

Collaborative Research & Development

Innovate UK

01 April 2015

31 March 2016

12 months

£168,159

South East

Competition Call: 1405_CRD_ENE_GEN_ENCATESR1 - Not Available. Activity Energy Catalyst Rnd 1 Early Stage

Project Contact, VerdErg Renewable Energy Ltd

Venturi-Enhanced Turbine Technology (VETT) is being developed to produce cost effective hydrodynamic power from head (pressure) differences in fluvial flows that are too low (typically 1m 3m) to economically power conventional hydropower turbine-generator equipment. This technical feasibility study will build on previous research programmes for one-directional VETTs that have proven its environmental and engineering performance and will assess how VETT s basic design principles can be used to develop a bi-directional design for tidal applications. The design identification will be supported by using Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) modelling to understand the highly complex hydrodynamic behaviour that occurs through the device in tidal environments. This project will form the design basis for a bi-directional VETT on which future experimental work can be based. This project will address the energy trilemma by facilitating the development of VETT for wider hydropower applications which will in turn help bring economic sustainable hydropower to the UK tidal energy market.

11/08/15