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[–] tame 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I like the idea, are you planning then to be solid or water-filled 'inflatable' envelopes? Having them water filled would make neutral buoyancy easy and they'd be really cheap to make.

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[–] jabbadabong [S] ago 

There are a few phases of potential development. The project initially started out as hydro turbines as public artworks, these would be large scale, metal turbines tethered in tidal city waterways with led lights along the length of the blades of which the unit self powers, these would be semi submerged. The project then evolved into potential utility scale deployments, so we are looking at low cost methods of fully submerged offshore turbines, heavy duty inflatables and solids would certainly be an interesting way to achieve this, and will be the next step in research. Do you have a background in engineering or just general interest? Cheers

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[–] tame ago  (edited ago)

Sounds like an interesting path to take, from sculpture to power generation. I was just idly thinking about something similar a couple of weeks ago (basically ways to make a 'soft' underwater turbine completely out of fabric and rope, for super-cheap tidal/current power) so this piqued my interest. :)

I'm a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, mostly software development specializing in automation, robotics etc. but with some electrical and mechanical engineering experience. Alternative power generation is a bit of a hobby interest of mine. :)

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[–] jabbadabong [S] ago 

Hey, this is what I have been working away on in secret for the past 6 months or so, I would love to hear feedback and ideas, thanks!

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[–] 5114759? ago 

Your design will create more drag than power, and you don't show how a giant spinning balloon or whatever it is, will generate anything. It's like showing a propeller not attached to a generator or anything at all. As a free spinning artwork, it will work. As a power generating device, it's not even a fully formed concept.

If instead, you had the first half of the device with fins going in one direction, and the other half in the other direction, there could be differential torque and a generator could be inside the shape and transmit the power through a tether. Have you thought this through, or is it just a way for people to give you money for a shower thought?