Sundermann - Submerged Water Turbine
The Sundermann Turbine is a submerged water turbine which drives a generator. It is specifically designed to maximise operational efficiency in slow to medium speed water flows of 6-12 knots.
Product Details
The Sundermann Turbine is suitable for installations where water flow is either in a single direction, such as rivers or ocean currents, or in tidal areas where the water flow reverses direction approximately every six hours.
Each turbine delivers up to 100 kW of power and multiple turbines can be combined to form a larger working unit, or “bank” delivering up to 1 MW per bank.
The break-through technology has been championed by the engineering community worldwide. Its advantage over other turbines is that the power blades tilt during a rotating cycle.
The construction of Turbine prototype 3 was completed in 2012. It was manufactured in Maryborough, QLD, Australia by Global Manufacturing Group whose excellent reputation preceded their successful tender for the construction.
The generator and gearbox assembly have been completed by Hardwell Engineering.
Australian Test site
Sundermann Water Power has finished preliminary testing in various locations in Australia. The company is negotiating T4 prototype testing in Europe.
Prototypes 1 & 2Prototype 2Prototype 1
Sundermann Water Power developed an early stage prototype (P1) in the second half of 2009 at San Remo, Victoria.
The turbine was successfully tested in a suitable body of moving water. The results of the trials were very promising and provided valuable information for further development work.
The sea trials of P1 were followed by the development and testing of two further devices, called T1 and T2. Tests involved estimating the power generation curve, efficiency, longevity, mooring systems, appropriate water flows and surface coatings.
How it Works
The turbine has a unique design in that its efficiency is achieved by the tilting of the power blades during the rotating cycle. The blades rotate half a revolution for each full rotation of the central shaft. This configuration allows each blade to contribute a unidirectional force to the central shaft, for virtually the entire rotational cycle. In this way the blades can efficiently utilise the kinetic energy of the moving water. The central shaft drives the generator via a gearbox to produce emission free renewable energy.
Electrical power is generated at a voltage of 690V. As with any power generation facility of this type, the system requires a small electrical substation for voltage regulation, either for direct use or for transmission to the end user or the power grid.
The intellectual property behind the Sundermann Turbine has been developed by Fred Sundermann over the past 10 years and is protected by patents.
Advantages
Carbon emissions have become a cause for concern, and the future direction is clear, renewable energy sources need to be utilized.
In reaching renewable-energy targets set for 2020, the ground-breaking technology of the Sundermann Water Turbine will be a crucial factor; its advantages are evident.
- Renewable Energy
The Sundermann Water Turbine produces renewable energy with virtually no impact on the environment. Where possible, recycled materials will be used in the construction of the turbine.
- Power generation efficiency
Due to its unique design, the Sundermann Water Turbine can produce electricity from low-head, low-velocity water. It has the capacity to generate electricity in a tidal environment for up to 20.5 hours in a 24 hour cycle, and can convert water movement into power at a very efficient rate.
- Base power production
Unlike wind-power generators which only provide peak power, if placed in strategically located positions, the Sundermann Water Turbine has the capacity to produce base power when located in rivers or exiting mill races. By utilizing the differences in tidal patterns (sometimes even within a small distance) the turbines have the potential to produce continuous power virtually over 24 hours.
- Cost of power production
It is expected that the cost of power produced using the Sundermann Water Turbine will be around half the cost of wind power.
- Green-energy offsets
The turbine has potential to be used for green-energy offsets by energy companies. Coal-power producers worldwide are seeking opportunities for carbon offsets by investing in renewable-energy projects.
- Minimum visual impact
As most of the turbine is under water, there is no visual impact on the seascape. The Sundermann Water Turbine can be retrofitted to existing mill races that have previously been used to drive water mills. There needs to be an electrical switch gear station on land, but this is at low heights and will be visually and environmentally friendly.
- Minimum impact on aquatic environment
The Sundermann Water Turbine is fitted with protective barriers and operates at slow rotational speeds, ensuring the safety of marine life in the aquatic environment.
Applications
The unique design advantages of the Sundermann turbine position the technology perfectly as one of the best renewable energy solution for many target markets.
In Australia, the main markets for the Sundermann Turbine are electricity consumers in remote and regional areas who are not connected to the high voltage electricity grid. The Sundermann Turbine is considered to be ideal in these areas as these consumers are generally reliant on expensive, high emission power generation (e.g. diesel generators). Significant expressions of interest have already been received from this market.
A second market is vertically integrated electricity companies seeking to diversify away from emission intensive generation. The Sundermann Turbine should reduce the portfolio risk by providing a more balanced source of generation.
SWP has identified potential in developed countries where small scale power generation either existed in the past or where old generators are still being used in some mountain streams.
SWP also sees potential in developing countries where the existing electricity grid is poor and generation is typically emissions intensive. SWP intends to move into these markets once operations have been established in Australia and Europe. A very large but more complex opportunity, tapping the energy from ocean currents, will be investigated at a subsequent stage.
- Remote and isolated communities without reliable and cheap power
The simplicity and portability of the turbine means it can be situated in remote areas where infrastructure is not well-developed. Comparatively cheaper than other generators, it will prove a cost-effective alternative to expensive diesel.
- Power-generators
These companies generate power and sell to the power wholesalers who then, in turn, feed the power the electricity into the grid. The power-generator companies are currently heavily reliant on traditional forms of power-generation, which are harmful to the environment. By utilising the Sundermann Water Power Turbine, a company could gain carbon credits which would off-set their current omissions.
- Private Electricity Contractors (PEC)
In remote areas of Australia, the Federal Government awards contracts to private companies for the supply of electricity to communities. These PECs currently use old diesel generators for the supply of power. This process has many drawbacks including being environmentally unfriendly, expensive to operate with the increasing cost of diesel, and have low reliability rates of between 50-80 per cent.
- Private individuals
There are many private individuals, in regional and country areas, who generate their own power. The Sundermann Turbine would be ideal for these people who have appropriate water-flows through their property.
- Overseas
The company is seeking opportunities overseas, targeting organisations that assist in the development of infrastructure in third-world or undeveloped countries. These organisations include the World Bank and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.
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