Advancing marine hydro turbine technology

Summary

Max Nicholas Renewables, a UK-based company, has developed a patented hydro turbine designed to offer superior protection for marine life compared to similar technologies. They sought assistance with testing and validating their latest model. NSCC’s engineered technologies researchers applied their expertise in advanced design and manufacturing to refine the turbine’s design and create a scaled-down version, which was deployed and tested at NSCC's Strait Area campus in Port Hawkesbury.

Challenge

Testing hydro turbine technology in real-world conditions, especially in shallow and turbulent waters, presents significant challenges. The turbine must operate efficiently while minimizing its impact on marine life, which requires precise design adjustments and thorough testing to ensure both performance and environmental safety.

Outcome

The project’s deliverable is a physical model of the hydro turbine, along with preliminary data on its functional performance. Design refinements have been completed, and construction of the prototype is underway. The next phase of testing will begin soon, providing valuable insights into the technology’s effectiveness.

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