Green energy hope
A NORTH Devon man has criticised the Government for failing to help a project he believes would provide renewable energy solutions and a real alternative to wind turbines.
Engineer Paul Hewitt of Bideford has spent the last two-and-a-half years developing a self-sufficient system driven by the principles of perpetual motion.
Using only air and water, the Hydro Gravitizer would produce carbon-emission-free electricity 24-hours a day, seven days a week. It could replace coal and gas fired boilers in power stations, generate low noise levels and could even be installed underground.
"This is the only renewable energy system that is continuous and relies on its own environment rather than external sources such as tidal flow or wind," Mr Hewitt told the Gazette.
"The system can be manufactured for half the cost of a small wind turbine and uses only the natural resources around us - how much more environmentally friendly can you get?"
The Hydro G replicates the normal characteristics of an engine to drive a turbine. The generator's pistons are propelled by a combination of water weight and vacuumed and compressed air that would generate a constant power output of 500kw.
"Every single principle of this system already exists and has already been proven," said Mr Hewitt.
"The generator can be scaled in size to produce smaller or greater outputs to power a household, small farm, town or even city.
"It can be manufactured in an easy flat-pack configuration that can be assembled on the other side of the world, even in an emergency situation," he added.
Mr Hewitt has already won plaudits for a number of revolutionary designs. In 2000, he won the Design Council Millennium Product Award for designing a bicycle suspension seat post.
He said UK grant funders have declined to support the energy project, despite some interest from America. The npower Juice Fund and the Government-funded Carbon Trust are among those who have rejected applications.
"I am amazed at how I've been turned down for funding time and time again by official Government bodies which simply do not back new technology produced by small companies in the UK with adequate grant funding. If I was a large company or a university, then my application for funding would probably been accepted.
"We need to build a working prototype of the Hydro G to prove to investors that the principle works, but have to secure around £130,000 to be able to do so.
"It is a scandal that our Government will not even consider such a viable renewable energy alternative and continues throwing money at wind turbines despite their inefficiency. In Germany, they are already taking wind turbines down because they are so inefficient."
Torridge and West Devon MP Geoffrey Cox commented: "I was extremely impressed with sheer amount of work that he has put into this project. Although as a non-engineer, I'm not really in a position to be able to comment on the merits or workability of his device, I did put Mr Hewitt in touch with a number of organisations that might be able to assist with its development.
"I am disappointed to hear that his application has been rejected by the Carbon Trust although wish him every success in securing funding for a prototype.
"It would be nice to think that we might eventually have a world-beating renewable energy device designed and developed in North Devon.
|
|
|
|
|
|