Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) have patented a ‘Combined Power Generation Technology’ that can generate electricity from both tidal and wind sources.
A mobile vehicle for power generation, transmission and storage, the innovation is an energy converter system that generates electricity in coastal areas and can be deployed depending on the power requirements.
A wind turbine mounted on a vehicle’s roof will employ the converter technology to generate wind energy as well as convert tidal energy into electrical energy, a release stated. The roof-mounted solar panel could also be used to power other equipment on mobile vehicles.
Elaborating on the key aspects of this innovation, Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, a former Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, who is currently on deputation to IIT Palakkad as its Director, said, “The invention creates electricity using only one vertical axis wind turbine, a horizontal converter mechanism, and no hydraulic set generator based on pendulum support. The current converter also has a variety of height adjustable guider support mechanisms to help regulate the height of the elliptical plate attached to the main shaft.”
“It can also be used as a moving vehicle and tidal energy is a clean, sustainable energy source with significant potential and the unusual capacity to be totally predictable.”
Prof. Seshadri Sekhar
Without the need for a submarine connection, the generated electricity can be easily delivered from the transformer It also has fewer operating expenses, requires less maintenance, and produces clean energy. “It can also be used as a moving vehicle and tidal energy is a clean, sustainable energy source with significant potential and the unusual capacity to be totally predictable,” Prof. Seshadri Sekhar said.
Research was undertaken by Mr. Sadham Usean Ramasamy, PhD Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, and Prof. A. Seshadri Sekhar, a former Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras, who is currently on deputation to IIT Palakkad as its Director.
NOVELTY OF THIS TECHNOLOGY
- Spring-assisted mechanism
- Adjustable guider structural support mechanism
- Main shaft with five converter gear shaft mechanisms
- Direction converter gear mechanism
- Floor level adjustable mechanism
- Gear coupling mechanism.