Research

 

Our vision is to supply predictable, clean electricity for homes and businesses in Tasmania as well as other locations throughout Australia and the world.  To accomplish this, we are undertaking a multi-phased research initiative to gain critical knowledge about the factors required for success of our technology.

Specifically, we will be researching:

• Technical Performance: evaluating how much electricity the turbine produces in varying conditions, optimisation of turbine design and performance, and operating by remote controls including satellite.

• Operating Conditions: how the turbine responds in varying water flows, weather conditions and physical surroundings, such as turbulence.

• Environmental Analysis:  evaluating the interaction of the turbine in the biological community.  A comprehensive environmental monitoring program has been designed.  MAKO and AMC will be keen to demonstrate the turbine’s minimal environmental impact on the marine ecology of the estuary and its inhabitants.

 

Approach

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The Tamar Estuary was chosen as our initial research location for the following reasons:

• AMC’s ocean energy scientific expertise, support infrastrucuture and 3rd party validation of MAKO's research.

• Collaborative commercial research with AMC and their enthusiastic interest to become our research “partner”.   AMC has received the necessary approvals to conduct this research from marine authorities Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) and TasPorts, and the support of regional natural resource management body NRM North.

• Ability to test in a variety of conditions – from prototype testing in AMC’s tow-tank to stationary in-water moorings.  This provides us an opportunity to slowly grow the capacity of our turbine.

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Early Results

• Electricity production.  The MAKO turbine is effective at producing electricity in low tidal flows.

• Mechanics and operations.  Once in place, the MAKO turbine was easy to assemble and to install at the test location.

• Environmental interaction.  There were no observed marine life interactions during deployment.

• Virtual data collection and operation.  The satellite and communication systems were highly effective in collecting, storing and reporting performance data.

 

Conclusion

 

After seven (7) months of continuous research, MAKO and AMC concluded the final phase of successful research.  All data will be analysed and the results used to test the next generation of MAKO turbines.