Blue Shark Marine

The Blue Shark Marine is a hydrokinetic energy converter designed to harness clean energy from tide and ocean currents, consisting of two horizontal-axis turbines mounted on the side of a supporting submersible structure in 20–60 m depths. The device operates in currents speeds between 1.5–3.5 m/s, producing 250–1,000 kW depending on the current speeds. One of the key features of the system is its ability to self-orient, particularly useful in reversing currents, such as tidal cycles. During operation, the effective working depth and system direction vary with current stream speed and direction as a consequence of the balance among the thrust acting on the turbines, the hydrodynamic drag forces and the buoyancy force acting on the system. Blue Shark is not depth limited and maximizes energy capture from a wide range of sites, including those with high tidal ranges and off-axis currents.
The system is supported by the buoyant structure of the device and is tethered to the seabed with a mooring rope. Two asynchronous generators are installed on board and mounted on the turbines shafts through a gearbox. Each generator is electrically controlled by inverters, both for grid connection purposes and in order to reach optimal working conditions at different current speed. The power connection is provided through a power cable, passing along the mooring rope and extended until the shore grid connection point. The three-blade turbines have been developed and designed in order to reach a high efficiency in a relatively large range of operating conditions, using a properly designed airfoil section shape. A diffuser is placed around each turbine and allows an enhancement of the energy conversion process, increasing the mass flowing though the turbine swept area.

Technology Developer

Blue Shark Power System, Seapower scrl

Additional Information

Device Website

Device Status

Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?

Active

Technology Type

Axial Flow Turbine

Power Take-Off

Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more

Direct Drive Generator

Max Rated Power Capacity

The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.

1000 KW

Surface Expression

False

Estimated TRL

Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology

TRL Last updated: 15 April 2022

6

Energy Resource

Tidal
Ocean Current

Water Column Position

Last Modified

13 June 2025

Projects Using Blue Shark Marine

Citation Formats

“Blue Shark Marine.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Blue_Shark_Marine. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.

Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "Blue Shark Marine." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Blue_Shark_Marine.

PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/Blue Shark Marine

Blue Shark Marine

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