1.2 MW Tidal Kite Connected to the Grid

Denmark The 28-tonne Dragon 12 subsea kite system delivers 1.2 MW of power with competitive performance and cost-effectiveness, enabling large-scale deployment.

Dragon 12, the first megawatt-scale tidal power generator from renewable energy company Minesto, successfully supplied electricity to the Faroe Islands after a successful test run on February 12, according to Interesting Engineering . In January 2024, the Swedish technology company announced that Dragon 12 was ready for real-world operation, marking a key milestone for tidal kite technology. Minesto aims to provide ocean-based power generation solutions that provide customers with clean, reliable, and predictable electricity at competitive prices.

“What the Minesto team has achieved is exceptional and sets a new agenda for renewable energy construction in many regions of the world. Dragon 12 is a robust, “cost-effective, highly predictable system that delivers electricity to the grid,” said Dr Martin Edlund, Minesto’s chief executive.

Minesto’s Dragon 12, a larger version of Minesto’s 2.5-ton Dragon 4, marks the company’s entry into the megawatt tidal power kit segment. Successfully tested and now operational, the cutting-edge technology has demonstrated satisfactory power generation in its early stages. The 12-meter-wide, 28-ton Dragon 12 is exceptionally robust. Anchored to the seabed via ropes, the underwater kite flies in a figure-eight pattern, using the tides for propulsion.

Dragon 12 represents a significant achievement, with a 10-fold increase in power output compared to its predecessor, Dragon 4 (100 kW). With its competitive performance and cost savings, Dragon 12 helps pave the way for the development of large-scale commercial tidal power parks under the sea, according to Minesto.

First-generation tidal power technology requires strong tidal currents of at least 2.5 m/s at installation depths of 25 to 50 m to be commercially viable. Research shows that technology like Minesto’s can operate at speeds of around 1.5 m/s at depths greater than 50 m, increasing the potential for tidal energy extraction by a factor of 35.

Founded in 2007 as a subsidiary of Saab, Minesto develops cutting-edge technology with 92 patents in 12 key markets. In 2022, the company successfully installed and activated the Dragon Class power plant in Vetmannasund, Faroe Islands. Minesto shares its Kite System technology, which is lightweight, flexible and scalable to harness energy from tidal and ocean currents, which is more reliable than wind and solar power.

The Dragon Tidal Kite consists of a turbine blade directly connected to a generator inside a container. Controlled by a sophisticated system, the kite's flight path is managed via rudders and elevators. A tether holds the kite in place, containing communications and power lines, and connects to a platform on the seabed via a simple locking mechanism.

When deployed, the turbine shaft drives a generator, which feeds electricity into the grid via cables. Minesto’s underwater kite is designed to fly against the main current, achieving relatively high speeds, several times faster than fixed turbines, and with a reduced size and rotor. This design contributes to lower installation, operation and maintenance costs, making it a more economical option for tidal power generation.

An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering )

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