Aquanator

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The Aquanator is a small-scale tidal-power device, a device which uses rows of hydrofoils to generate electricity from water currents. It was invented by Australian inventor Michael Perry.

History[edit]

The Aquanator invention was announced in 2004. A contract to test the device was signed with Country Energy on 26 September 2004.[1]

Its test site was located at 38°30′59″S 145°21′53″E / 38.5163°S 145.3648°E / -38.5163; 145.3648. In beginning of 2006 it was connected to grid.[2] However, the device test site was decommissioned in May 2008 by its owner Atlantis Resources.[3]

Description[edit]

The Aquanator used ocean current to produce electricity. It was intended to generate power even with a small flow of 1.5 knots.[4] The test device had a capacity of 5 kW. The aquanator's slow moving hydrofoil design was meant to provide a green energy source which would not harm ocean life as faster moving turbines might.[5]

Economy[edit]

The aquanator was meant to be cheaper than diesel fuels, with costs about the same amount as wind power and will be one sixth the price of diesel-powered systems.[6]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cornford, Philip (26 September 2004). "Australia: Innovative tidal energy generator gets go ahead | Energy Bulletin". www.energybulletin.net. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. ^ Snieckus, Darius (25 November 2012) [13 August 2009]. "Atlantis emerges out of a high tide -Recharge | Global Renewable Energy News". www.rechargenews.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  3. ^ "History". Archived from the original on 27 October 2010. Retrieved 26 October 2010. Atlantis Resources Corporation
  4. ^ "TruthForce! | Underwater Energy from Australia's Aquanator". Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Inventor taps into a new energy source". 27 September 2004.