Water Current Turbines for River Applications - Alaska Energy ...

WCT EvaluationNRCan-06-01071Amazon AquaCharger - MARLEC/ THROPTON ENERGY SERVICES (UK)Technology: Marlec has teamed up their engineering, renewable energy and manufacturing expertisewith Thropton Energy Services, a company specializing in water turbines, to develop a battery chargingwater current turbine. The Amazon AquaCharger is a turbine, generator and control system designed tomount on an ordinary open moored boat (see below). It is sold as akit. The turbine is lowered into a river or canal deeper than 1.75 mand generates power between water flow speeds of 0.45 m/s (1 mph or0.87 knots) and 1.5 m/s (3.36 mph or 2.92 kn). The use of a highefficiency, low friction alternator and aerodynamic blade design hasachieved the low water current speed cut-in, maximizing the potentialapplication to a variety of waterways. Power generated is stored inbatteries to operate 12V appliances and inverters to operate 240Vappliances. Output connectors allow up to six 12V batteries to becharged simultaneously. The unit starts charging at 0.5m/s riverspeed and generates approximately 500 watts at 1.5 m/s. The unitincorporates a patented furling device that lifts the turbine out of thewater if the river speed exceeds the pre-set maximum. An electricalbrake is operated when furled to prevent the turbine fromfreewheeling, reducing wear and tear. The turbine diameter is 1.8 mand the rotor is protected from going aground and from floatingdebris. The system is simple to assemble, dismantle and transport forrelocation. There are minimal running costs and it can run for 24 hours per day unattended.Application: The Amazon AquaCharger is suitable for areas of the world where large sectors of thepopulation live in dispersed communities along major river and canal banks. The product offersopportunities to establish battery charging stations to serve the local population.Stage of Development: It is manufactured in kits by Marlec, commercially available.Verdant Power Canada ULC 13