Solution of Energy Supply for Deep Ocean Installations: Design and Testing of a Micro-Fluid Turbine

A micro-fluid turbine has been successfully tested in the laboratory and towing tank. This 2m diametral device is designed to operate in flows with velocity from 0.1m/s to 1m/s. The designed output power varies from 0.3W to 200W. In this design, the low density ocean current energy in deep-sea stored as mechanical energy in plane roll-up spring first. When the spring has enough potential energy, it drives the generator to generate electricity. Through this assistant start approach, the turbine can work in ultra-low-speed current. On the other hand, the non-contact transmission remarkably reduced the drag torque of hubcap. Besides these approaches, some other advanced technologies, such as self-adaptive platform, high efficiency energy storage, and intelligent control, are applied in this turbine. Test results show that the micro-fluid turbine has potential to provide power for instruments and equipment in deep-sea environment.