Hybridized Vertical-Axis Underwater Current Power Turbine System Suitable for Low Underwater Current Velocities: A Report of Its Application and Potential in Imo River, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract A novel vertical axis underwater current power dual turbine that extracts power from flowing water bodies of low velocities (0.5 m/s or less) is presented. It has now a further innovation of a dual turbine and hybrid system that provides a solar panel roof over the underwater current power turbine (UCPT) platform to enable the system to extract power from both solar and underwater current. The hull of the UCPT was built using Glass-Fiber Reinforced (GFR) instead of steel material. The use of GFR reduced the hull's weight by 50% compared to the steel made. The installation of the UCPT in Imo River in Nigeria demonstrated that the UCPT has 99% efficiency in converting the water flow hydraulic power to mechanical power. The model was scaled to a product of 5.7 kW underwater power generating platform that provides addition integrate-able solar power of 25kW capacity. It is further demonstrated that satellite model development of the UCPT can be made to generate 150 kW and more depending on the number of the installed UCPT.