Renewable energy can now be collected in a new and efficient way from the flowing forces in tidal and river currents.
This new concept by the British inventor Ken Upton could help solve many of our world energy needs when developed.
Foil power craft /systems are basically a conveyer belt fitted with hydrofoils at regular intervals along its length at right angles. The main frame, track and power take off are attached to floats above the surface of the water like a road way on a pontoon bridge. The unit is anchored like a boat, in good flowing stream, out of the way of shipping in a estuary or river or can be suspended on a crane arm from the river bank etc.
When water flows over the foils, the dynamic shape of the foils move the continuos line of foils down and across the flow in a diagonal direction collecting this never ending source of clean green energy. At the end of the bottom side of the conveyer track, the foils then turn the corner and twist into the horizontal position to travel back to the bow end. The horizontal position keeps the wind drag factor to the minimum. As the foils come out of the flow they are cleaned by the flow. Debris, seaweed plastic etc. are a major problem of extracting energy from this source and make other underwater turbines inefficient and difficult to clean and service.
When the foils are at the bow end they twist again and enter the flow in the vertical position and start to do useful work.
When developed, these systems could be several megawatts and compared to wind turbines would be the minimum of 2/300 % more powerful for the same working surface and better cost effective.
Energy21.co.uk are now seeking partnerships with governments, companies etc. to develop this new patented idea.