Two West Limerick Companies, DesignPro ltd. and GKinetic Energy ltd. have come together to collaborate on a project that will see the development of a new range of run of river hydrokinetic turbines
GKinetic previously engaged DesignPro to build prototypes of their technology. During this phase, DesignPro secured the opportunity to develop 25 kW (kilowatt) and 60 kW devices. DesignPro applied for EU Horizon 2020 SME Instrument funding and have now secured Horizon 2020 Phase 2 Funding to commercialise small scale river turbines up to 100 kW utilising GKinetic’s technology.
The technology is completely unique and can produce a constant supply of zero-carbon energy by doubling the speed of water to the turbine. Supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), GKinetic have achieved remarkable milestones in the development of its technology. In 2015, the company won the SEAI Design Award and last year, they successfully demonstrated a device in the Limerick Docks, this custom test facility was set up by another successful collaboration with Shannon Foynes Port Company.
The project will see an investment of €2.7 Million in the West Limerick Economy creating up to 15 jobs during the project development stage and 50 jobs after commercial roll out. This is a fantastic opportunity to establish West Limerick as a hub for the development of innovative renewable energy products. GKinetic will be working closely with DesignPro in the Research & Development aspects of the project using the opportunity to collect valuable data that will enable scaling up of these devices to utility size machines to 250 kW and bigger.
This project will also allow for the collection of relevant data for environmental impact purposes working closely with other stakeholders in the marine environment including environmentalists, fishermen, aquaculture companies, commercial shipping and leisure boaters.