Engineers from Minesto have unveiled the first megawatt tidal power station, Dragon 12, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy technology. This pioneering generator harnesses the power of tides, utilizing a special dye to charge even under weak tidal conditions, generating an unprecedented amount of cheap, sustainable energy.
Dragon 12: A Game Changer in Renewable Energy
Dragon 12, a 1.2 MW powerhouse, has successfully integrated into the national grid of the Faroe Islands following its seamless commissioning on February 12. “What Minesto’s team has achieved today is extraordinary, setting a new agenda for renewable energy development worldwide. The competitiveness of Dragon 12 is clear: it’s powerful, cost-effective, and provides a predictable electricity supply to the grid,” stated Dr. Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto.
Features of Dragon 12
With a wingspan of 12 meters and weighing 28 tons, Dragon 12 is anchored to the seabed and moves in an 8-shaped trajectory, exploiting tidal streams. “Dragon 12 signifies significant progress, being ten times larger than its predecessor, Dragon 4, with a 100 kW capacity. Thanks to its competitive performance and cost efficiency, Dragon 12 paves the way for the development of large-scale commercial underwater tidal parks,” reports Minesto.
For the commercial viability of first-generation tidal technologies, strong tidal streams with an average peak velocity of at least 2.5 m/s and installation depths of 25 to 50 meters were necessary. However, Minesto’s technology, capable of operating in conditions with average peak velocities around 1.5 m/s at depths greater than 50 meters, increases the potential energy extraction from tidal streams by 35 times.
Innovative Technology
The Dragon tidal power station consists of wings equipped with a turbine directly connected to a generator in the nacelle. Its “kite” trajectory is controlled by a sophisticated system using rudder and elevator. The anchoring secures the “dragon” and carries communication and power transmission lines connected to the seabed foundation through a simple locking mechanism.
Upon deployment, the turbine shaft activates the generator, sending electricity to the grid through a cable in the tether and a seabed umbilical stretching to the shore. Minesto’s underwater kite is designed to fly against the main stream, achieving a relative speed several times faster, thus requiring a smaller size and rotor compared to stationary turbines. This design reduces installation, operation, and maintenance costs, making it a more economical choice for tidal energy generation.
Conclusion: Revolutionizing Tidal Energy
Minesto’s Dragon 12 not only represents a leap forward in harnessing the power of tidal energy but also sets a new standard for the cheapest energy production in the world. This breakthrough could potentially eliminate the need for conventional batteries and transform the renewable energy landscape, making sustainable power more accessible and affordable globally.