First Evaluation of Array Configuration of Selfbalancing Tidal Kinetic Turbines

Tidal velocities represent a huge source of renewable energy, actually exploited only in a minimum part. The difficulties arise from the high initial costs to achieve the infrastructures supporting the marine machines and to drive the energy to the end user or substation. Sintenergy turbines are self balancing and can be connected to the coast by a simple rope. Several works, developed by authors, demonstrated the validity of the idea. In this work the authors illustrate the way to arrange this technology in an array configuration. Several turbines can be connected among them by some tubular elements linked by a number of floating deflectors. When the tide grows up the tubular elements move themselves in horizontal position and the floating deflectors allow the array to stay in vertical position reaching the desired position in the sea. When the tide drops down the tubular elements move in vertical position, gathering themselves together with the turbines as an accordion. The next tide cycle reverts the array in the new direction which extends its elements until the tubular elements reach the horizontal position and the turbines start the operation cycle for producing energy. The best configuration can be found taking into account how minimize all the reciprocal interferences.