Juneau-based inventor Lance McMullan is on a mission to bring clean ocean energy to remote communities. His company, Sitkana, is pioneering the Chinook 3.0, a small, 3D printed tidal generator designed for individual users.
Unlike the massive turbines anchored to the seabed, Chinook 3.0 boasts a lightweight, free-floating design, making it a perfect solution for off-grid locations. Users simply deploy the 100-pound generator from their boat during periods of strong tidal currents. As the rotor spins underwater, it harnesses the power of the current to generate electricity.
McMullan’s design leverages additive manufacturing for affordability and utilizes a unique, disposable plastic construction. This approach streamlines maintenance – when a generator reaches its end-of-life, it’s simply replaced with a new one, and the plastic recycled for future units.
This focus on affordability specifically targets areas lacking access to a reliable grid or currently dependent on expensive diesel fuel. With a projected cost of $2,000 per unit, the Chinook 3.0 has the potential to change how coastal communities access clean energy.
Sitkana is on the cusp of sending the Chinook 3.0 for testing at a tidal facility, and with a projected market launch next year, McMullan’s vision of bringing ocean power to remote communities may soon become a reality.
Source: ktoo.org