ATSA’s defence-based project management techniques supported the on-time development of an innovative design for a 2-kW Permanent Magnet Axial Flux generator for the tidal energy generator, a revolutionary technology designed to economically capture the vast kinetic energy of the world’s ocean streams, tidal currents and river flows.
The axial flux generator was prototyped and manufactured at the ATSA facility at Thornton, New South Wales, and then integrated into the SeaUrchin turbine.
“We were engaged by Elemental Energy Technologies Limited in support of the design, development and test program for the SeaUrchin,” comments ATSA Director, Darren Burrowes. “ATSA is typical of small defence suppliers who have responded to the need for SMEs to translate skills to commercial applications. Our participation in the success of SeaUrchin demonstrates the skills and capabilities we have developed in defence work are being applied to emerging opportunities in CleanTech.”
The capabilities and experience from ATSA’s work on the “HUON” Class Minehunter Coastal were used to plan and successfully conduct generator sea trials at Newcastle and Sydney, which have since helped Elemental Energy Technologies (EET) take the top honour in the annual Engineering Excellence Awards sponsored by the Newcastle Division of Engineers Australia.
In a field of 16 finalists, which included BHP Billiton's AUD 100-million plus remediation of the Hunter River and the $1 billion plus Ballina By-Pass project, the SeaUrchin secured the Overall Winner GHD Award for Engineering Excellence, the UGL Award for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering and an excellence award.
"The success of The SeaUrchin Marine Power Generator can be attributed to contributions by e3K, ATSA and RPC Technologies and Prysmian Cables in Australia, as well as KITL in India. This diverse engineering team joined forces to bring to market a new technology that will assist in the challenge to provide renewable, predictable or baseload energy for the global market," says EET's Research Director and inventor, Michael Urch.
The SeaUrchin is a revolutionary technology designed to economically capture the vast kinetic energy of the world’s ocean streams, tidal currents and river flows. It operates in an extensive range of flow rates making it deployable in the largest range of ocean and river locations around the world.
For additional information:
