How can kites help islanders cut carbon emissions? A surprising new technology turns low-flow tidal currents into a cost-effective source of renewable energy for small islands. Energy Enabling small island communities to switch to clean energy is a major challenge. Many of them still depend on fossil fuel imports for their energy supply – a costly and polluting process. The EU-funded DGIM2 project has developed a way to generate electricity from the water surrounding the island using underwater kites. DGIM2 has now been featured in the new CORDIS series of explanatory videos titled Make the Connection with EU Science. The kites fly back and forth in ocean currents. They supply electricity by converting the slow flow of the tides into movement rapid enough to drive an onboard turbine powering a generator. The ‘leash’ that holds the kite transfers the electricity to a joint anchored in the seabed. The system provides predictable renewable energy at comparatively low cost, even in the winter months. As slow tidal currents are abundant around the globe, these kites could bring green electricity to islanders and other coastal communities everywhere. Find out more about DGIM2. ‘Make the connection with EU-science’ is a series of explanatory videos focusing on the scientific content and exploitation aspects of EU research projects. Keywords DGIM2, renewable energy, coastal communities, underwater kites, slow tidal currents
