The inventive Dragon 12, an underwater kite that promises to produce clean electricity, is causing waves in the renewable energy space thanks to the work of Swedish company Minesto.
Underwater kite?
Imagine a kite that is soaring through the sky and creating a figure-eight pattern.
Imagine that same movement beneath the surface of the ocean. That is basically the idea behind Minesto’s revolutionary Dragon 12, a machine that uses ocean currents to create electricity.
How sustainable energy is being aided by Dragon 12
Situated in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands have initiated a bold endeavor to achieve complete renewable onshore electricity by 2030. This plan places a lot of emphasis on the Dragon 12, which will supplement the current hydroelectric, solar, and wind power sources.
The Dragon 12’s science
It uses the kinetic energy of tidal currents to create electricity. Here’s how it works:
Movement: The Dragon 12 is meant to move underwater in a figure-eight pattern, just like a kite does in the air. The water flowing over its wings is accelerated by this movement.
Energy Conversion: The water’s movement across the wings rotates a turbine that is fastened to the kite. The water’s kinetic energy is transformed into mechanical energy by this turbine.
Production of Electricity: Up to 1.2 megawatts of power are produced when the mechanical energy from the turbine is transformed into electrical energy.
Grid Integration: The Dragon 12’s electricity is sent to an onshore station through cables. After that, it is incorporated into the national grid, enabling homes and businesses to use it for electricity.
The vision of Minesto: In a world where renewable energy is both economical and sustainable, Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto, envisions clean, affordable energy for everybody. The reduced electricity cost of the Dragon 12 indicates that this goal is conceivably achievable, potentially lowering the cost of green energy for consumers all over the world.
Examining Minesto’s technology in detail
Since its founding in 2007 as a spin-off from the massive aerospace company Saab, Minesto has refined its technology. The company’s utility-scale tidal power plant, Dragon 12, supplies electricity to the Faroe Islands grid and has a successful track record with 92 patents.
Prospects and challenges for the future of tidal energy
Even though the Dragon 12’s novel design has many benefits, concerns about its long-term dependability and effects on marine life still exist. The responses to these queries will determine how tidal energy develops in the future as Minesto keeps improving its technology.
Kurt’s key takeaways
With technologies led by companies like Minesto, we could be able to completely rethink how we use the power of nature as we approach a revolution in renewable energy. More than just a machine, the Dragon 12 represents human ingenuity and our unwavering quest for a sustainable future. With the ability to supply inexpensive, clean energy, the Dragon 12 has the potential to revolutionize communities all over the world.
