The Hydro Mine (formerly called Tide Mine) is a strong and durable tide turbine blade concept suitable for use in 'Rough Water' offshore tidal streams as well as rivers and estuaries. Its use of basic construction techniques and traditional materials makes it easier and more cost effective to produce than many rivals and its ability to be built longer without increasing in diameter enables more of the tide's power to be harnessed.

The Hydro Mine concept was to design a really strong turbine blade that would not suffer from the problems experienced by other 'high-tech' ideas.

The initial idea was conceived by a Scottish inventor and innovator who has been developing and testing the concept for several years.

Simple models have been produced mounted on floating platforms using this unique blade design. The devices performed well in various conditions including the turbulent waters downstream of a wier at Teddington Lock, London.

Some simple ammateur video clips have been produced and can be viewed by following the links at the bottom of this page.

Key advantages to the Hydro Mine concept include:

• The Hydro Mine can be used in ‘Rough Water’ and irregular or turbulent conditions due to the immense strength of its single helix blade. This makes it possible to install several Hydro Mines downstream of each other and in close proximity thus enabling a high density of devices to be installed in an area. 

• The Hydro Mine can be made longer to harness more power from the available tidal or river stream without increasing in diameter. This unique feature enables power outputs that greatly exceed any other designs – we believe that a 50 meter long blade with a 30 meter diameter could produce in excess of 20 MegaWatts of electricity.

• The Hydro Mine blade spins relatively slowly and does not have sharp blades with tips spinning quickly. It therefore poses an extremely low risk to marine life.

Key disadvantages and problems with other hydro electric generation designs include:

• Cutting edge composite materials fabricated in specialist factories are often required to make the blades of other designs. This is an expensive process and can require blades to be transported over large distances.

• Immense and uneven stresses are induced on traditional ‘propeller’ style blades similar to those used in wind turbines. The combination of water density and turbulent water flows can lead to blades failing especially as the dimensions of such devices increase to the sorts of sizes that are required to make them commercially viable.

• Other turbine designs using traditional ‘Propeller’ style blades are restricted in potential diameter by the available water depth. This means that many sites with good tidal flow patterns are too shallow for the size of turbine ideally required. Often the blade diameter cannot exceed much more than 50% of the water depth and this means that it is difficult to envisage devices producing more than 1 MegaWatt each.

• Conventional ‘Propeller’ style devices require relatively ‘clean’ water flow and so cannot be installed downstream in close proximity to other similar devices. This greatly limits the density of devices that can be installed in any location.

• The tip speeds of conventional ‘propeller’ blades can be very high and could potentially cause severe trauma or death to any marine life they come into contact with.

THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP…….

We believe that the Hydro Mine turbine blade is THE FUTURE for tidal power both offshore and in rivers and estuaries, however there is a great deal to be done before our turbine is installed. We recognise that our expertise in conceiving this revolutionary design will not be enough for the developmental and implemental stages that lie ahead.

The challenge now is to identify and collaborate with commercial partners and organisations with expertise in various areas, including:

• Design, development and testing
• Steel and concrete fabrication
• Offshore and underwater installation and maintenance
• Extreme condition engineering
• Underwater bearings and housings
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• Electrical power generation equipment
• Sub-sea cabling

IF YOU OR YOUR COMPANY WANT TO DISCUSS ANY ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US

TELEPHONE : 0845 527 6417

ADDRESS : Hydro Mine Limited, PO Box 50, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 0AP, England, United Kingdom

Video Links: