Scotland recently saw the unveiling of what is being called as the world’s largest and most powerful tidal power turbine built ever. Developed by Atlantis Resources Corporation, one of the world’s leading developers of electricity-generating tidal current turbines, the AK1000 is capable of producing enough energy to power 1000 homes. The 1MW turbine stands some 74 feet tall, weighs 130 tons and has nearly 60 feet rotors diameter.
Designed to be able to generate power from both ebb and flood tides, the AK1000 comprises of two sets of blades. It is simple yet robust, so that it can withstand the marine conditions off Scotland. Even marine life is at low risk because the turbine’s blades rotate at a very slow speed. It turns at six to eight revolutions per minute, leaving zero impact on the surrounding environment. The AK1000 will be installed at the European Marine Energy Center in Orkney later this summer.
Via: Treehugger