An illustration showing the vertical axis turbine and generator on a river bed. (Credit: Uppsala University)
First vertical-axis turbine will be installed on Thursday, March 7, on the bottom of the Dal River (Dalälven) near the Söderfors urban area in Sweden. This experimental marine power plant will be able to convert the energy of the river current into 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 where data will be recorded. It will be placed downstream of the main bridge across river Dalälven in central Söderfors.
By Anneli Waara
