Underwater kite can harness the ocean’s power for sustainable energy

A kite underwater?

Imagine a kite flying through the air, tracing a figure-eight pattern as it soars. 

Now, picture that same motion deep under the sea. That’s the essence of the Dragon 12, Minesto’s groundbreaking machine designed to harness the power of ocean currents to generate electricity.

How Dragon 12 is helping to create sustainable energy

Nestled in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands have embarked on an ambitious journey toward 100% clean on-shore electricity by 2030. The Dragon 12 figures to play a pivotal role in this plan, complementing existing wind, solar and hydroelectric power sources.

The science behind the Dragon 12

It generates electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of tidal currents. Here’s how it works:

1. Movement: The Dragon 12 is designed to fly in a figure-eight pattern underwater, similar to how a kite moves in the air. This movement accelerates the flow of water over its wings.
2. Energy Conversion: As the water flows over the wings, it spins a turbine attached to the kite. This turbine converts the kinetic energy of the moving water into mechanical energy.
3. Electricity Production: The mechanical energy from the turbine is then converted into electrical energy, producing up to 1.2 megawatts of power.
4. Grid Integration: The electricity generated by the Dragon 12 is transmitted via cables to an onshore station. From there, it’s integrated into the national grid system, making it available to power homes and businesses.

Minesto’s vision: Affordable, clean energy for all

Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto, envisions a world where renewable energy is sustainable and cost-effective. The Dragon 12’s lower cost of electricity suggests that this vision is well within reach, potentially making green energy cheaper for consumers worldwide.

A deep dive into Minesto’s technology

Founded as a spin-off from aerospace giant Saab, Minesto has perfected its technology since 2007. With 92 patents and a successful track record, the company’s utility-scale tidal power plant, Dragon 12, delivers electricity to the Faroe Islands’ grid.

The future of tidal energy: prospects and challenges

While the Dragon 12’s innovative design offers many advantages, questions remain about its long-term reliability and impact on marine life. As Minesto continues to refine its technology, the answers to these questions will shape the future of tidal energy.

Kurt’s key takeaways

As we stand on the brink of a renewable energy revolution, companies like Minesto are in charge of technologies that could redefine how we harness the power of nature. The Dragon 12 is more than just a machine; it symbolizes human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of a sustainable future. With its potential to provide clean, affordable energy, the Dragon 12 could be a game-changer for communities around the globe.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed in the Article:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
3. SDG 13: Climate Action

Targets Identified:

• Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
• Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

Indicators Mentioned or Implied:

• Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
• Indicator 9.4.1: CO2 emissions per unit of value added in manufacturing industries
• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into their national policies, strategies, and planning

Explanation:

The article discusses Minesto’s Dragon 12, an underwater kite that generates clean electricity, addressing the SDGs related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9), and climate action (SDG 13).

Based on the content of the article, specific targets can be identified. Target 7.2 aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, which is relevant to Minesto’s Dragon 12 as it generates clean electricity from ocean currents. Target 9.4 focuses on upgrading infrastructure and retrofitting industries to make them sustainable, which aligns with the innovative technology of the Dragon 12. Target 13.2 emphasizes integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning, which is relevant as Minesto’s technology contributes to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy.

The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. Indicator 7.2.1 measures the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption, indicating the progress towards increasing the share of renewable energy. Indicator 9.4.1 measures CO2 emissions per unit of value added in manufacturing industries, reflecting the sustainability of industries. Indicator 13.2.1 measures the number of countries that have integrated climate change measures into their national policies, strategies, and planning, indicating progress in climate action.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: foxnews.com

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