Water turbine
max. 500 kW | HydroAir™ Dresser-Rand

Dresser-Rand is developing alternative energy sources, including wave energy. Oscillating Water Column (OWC) technology is the most successful and extensively studied technology for extracting energy from ocean waves. OWCs can be located on the shoreline, nearshore or offshore.

Dresser-Rand has patented a Variable Radius Turbine (VRT) called HydroAir to be used on OWC power plants. This technology has been developed in conjunction with Cranfield University, UK.

Incoming surface waves induce an oscillating flow of air within the chamber which, in turn, flows backwards and forwards through an air turbine installed in a duct connecting the chamber to the atmosphere. The turbine converts this air movement into electrical energy. The HydroAir impulse turbine is constructed to withstand the rigors of a marine environment using a combination of stainless steel, aluminum and reinforced composites to resist corrosion.

In addition, it offers the following benefits when compared to other turbines being used for wave energy capture:

Above average efficiency
One moving part - the rotor
Lower rotational speeds than competing turbines
Currenly designed up to 500 kW
Wide operating range
Self-starting
Reduced noise