A new and exciting project for Goetz Custom Boats is the construction of composite turbines for a Massachusetts firm, Free Flow Power (FFP). They are a clean renewable energy company, focused on hydrokinetic generation in rivers, tides and currents.

FFP has developed a proprietary turbine generator for free flow applications. The Free Flow Turbine Generator is a rim driven generator, with magnets attached to the rotor and generator coils located within an outer ring. The system is designed to be attached to pilings, or other infrastructure. The generator uses a start up bearing and a combination of magnetic levitation and hydrodynamic bearings to reduce friction, increase efficiency and avoid chemical lubricants that can leak into the environment. The system is designed to eliminate the adverse environmental impacts associated with dams or diversions of water. In particular, the system will not impede the movement of fish or reduce the levels of dissolved oxygen in the water.

The Free Flow Turbine Generator is manufactured using composite materials to maximize its life and reliability. The output is standard 3-phase 480V similar to wind turbines. The output can be rectified within the device to produce DC output. Output voltage can be stepped using standard transformers to accommodate delivery of electricity over a long distance.

Two versions of the Free Flow Turbine Generator have been designed:

• A two meter diameter system weighing about 2,000 pounds for larger scale applications. This system will generate 10 kW on average in flows of 2 meters per second.
• A one meter diameter system weighing about 500 pounds. This system will generate 7.5kW on average in flows of 3.5 meters per second.

A large number of significant commercial generation river projects are being developed in the US, using the two meter turbine design. When developed, these projects will have the ability to generate over 1,500 MW—enough electricity to power well over 1 million homes or to replace two medium sized coal plants.