Hydray

A Biomimetically Inspired Hydroelectric Generator It is a device born out of reverse-engineering a stingrays propulsion system, as ray would put energy into its body, inducing an oscillation, and in turn propel itself forward through the static water. This device uses movement in the water to stimulate an opposing energy exchange. When the Hydray unit is submerged, the flowing water over its surface causes an oscillation in a ripple or wave-like formation, which propagates down its length. As a result, internal reciprocating limbs move together in phase, creating a wave along the length of the unit. This wave translates to the rotating of two crankshafts which in turn rotates two alternators at either end of the device, providing a stable electricity output. After much design consideration and prototyping, I eventually created a prototype which worked and provided an energy output of 1.96W, tested in Brunel universities flume (flow tank). It oscillated as I had imagined and I ran tests on flow rates and other important parameters. I then tested the device in a real river, to see how interacted with a real life situation, similar to that which it would be implemented in its proposed application.

Above and below: Testing of the first functional, small scale prototype
Below: Test footage of the small scale prototype in both the Brunel University flow tank and the river avon. The flow tank tests were run from stationary to 0.8m/s flow speed, and the tests in the actual river flow were the same (error on account of rough measurement techniques). 1.97Kw was recorded at a flow rate of 0.8m/s, after which the generator system stalled. Potentially more would be feasable on this scale.
After various scale-up calculations and in-depth costing analysis, I have designed a 10kW Hydray device, posing as potentially one of the most competitively priced renewable energy solutions on offer at £0.0178/Kwh, along with one of the lowest Co2 footprints per Kw at 0.016kg/kw. I therefor plan to pursue the concepts development with building and testing of this Large scale prototype, in order to optimise the concepts systems and further gauge how effective the Hydray could be on a large, industrial-scale with an economically viable and environmentally attractive energy output.
Below: Distribution and Application Overview Map - This map is a representation of how the Hydray devices would be used in conjunction with other Hydray devices in series, effectively all working individually to provide a combined net energy output. This spreads out the individual environmental detriment of a single large hydro electric system (a large turbine derived system/hydroelectric dam for example), allowing less disruption in any one location and less overall flow loss.
The Hydray poses as a low-obtrusive hydroelectric energy transfer device, with its operation requiring only natural, uni-directional flowing water (rivers and estuaries being prime examples), and therefor there is no need to alter the related body of water in any way. Its slow oscillating membraned surface is the only external environmental-interface, with no immediate impact to flora and fauna. It is also non-perminant and flexible in its orientation and characteristics dependant on the specifics of its implementation.
Below: Prototype no.1.3 with simple alternator set up, also showing clear view of offset crankshaft. 
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