GKinetic’s pitch hits all the right notes with European Patent Office

GKinetic Energy are excited to announce that we have just been granted European patent protection for the Power Generating Water Turbine Assembly aspect of our technology. The Patent was officially granted last week marking a significant milestone for the company. The power generating water turbine assembly includes a key knowledge item for the device, the dual cam blade pitch control system.

The technology concept consists of two vertical axis turbines placed on either side of a tear drop shaped vessel, the bluff body, the shape of the bluff body accelerates the flow of water into the turbines. This accelerated flow combined with the dual cam blade pitch control system results in higher power outputs. The pitch of the blades is controlled in order to achieve maximum lift with minimum drag, an important feature to generate significant power from the water flow. This patent award is an vital step in further developing the technology closer to commercialisation. Vincent Mc Cormack, our Managing Director commented:

“Securing a patent for our blade pitch system is an essential part of our business plan. It allows us to commercialise out the technology with confidence. We will use it to control the quality of the product that is put into the market. The granting of this patent also validates the truly innovative nature of our technology.”

We are proving out our technology by collaborating with industry and academic partners on a variety of different projects. Our strategic partner, DesignPro Renewables are preparing for the deployment of a 25kW river and estuary turbine at SEENEOH this September as part of their Horizon 2020 SME Instrument project to commercialise these small-scale devices using our technology concept. In addition, the company are consortium partners in the Horizon2020 funded +CityxChange project to make Limerick, Ireland and Trondheim, Norway Smart Lighthouse cities by using a variety of digital services potentially including energy generation from hydrokinetic turbines.