Converting Kinetic Energy in Small Watercourses Using Direct Drive Generators

Tidal currents, ocean currents and unregulated watercourses are all large sources of energy that can be converted into electricity. Several technical and economical solutions within this research area have been demonstrated. In literature there exists two different turbine types, horizontal and vertical axis. The present paper focuses on the design of a permanent magnetized generator directly coupled to a vertical axis turbine. The proposed theoretical concept is adapted to data measurements regarding water current velocities and flow profiles from a Swedish watercourse. A high electromagnetic efficiency of 90% is obtained.