GKinetic Energy has received an Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher to work with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) on a 3D-printed body for its 3kW river turbine. The partners will use Large Format Additive Manufacturing (LFAM) to design and produce the body.

GKinetic's patented hydrokinetic system generates energy from free-flowing water in rivers, canals, estuaries and tidal waters. The company is currently concentrating on commercial river deployments in Ireland. Its floating platform and bluff body direct accelerated water towards two vertical-axis rotors.

Existing prototypes are made using conventional sheet aluminium fabrication. The partners expect LFAM to allow more complex hydrodynamic shapes, potentially improving energy generation efficiency while cutting manufacturing costs and assembly time.

Gary Brennan, chief technology officer at GKinetic Energy, said: "Working with IMR through the EI Innovation Voucher allows us access to a broad knowledge base and equipment that would otherwise be out of our reach. This project has allowed us to explore cutting-edge 3D printing techniques for our river turbines. Moving from traditional aluminium fabrication to Large Format Additive Manufacturing enables us to reduce both costs and production time while supporting our long-term sustainability goals."

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Enterprise Ireland's Innovation Voucher scheme funds small and medium-sized businesses to work with specialist knowledge providers, including IMR, on technological innovation.

Anne Fitzpatrick, manager for climate tech and renewable energy at Enterprise Ireland, said: "Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish companies as they develop innovative technologies that can contribute to the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Through the Innovation Voucher programme, GKinetic Energy can access the expertise of leading research organisations such as Irish Manufacturing Research to accelerate product development and strengthen its competitive position.

This collaboration demonstrates how Irish innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities can work together to deliver practical clean energy solutions with significant export potential."

The project will also investigate whether recycled plastics can be used in fabrication, supporting GKinetic's sustainability goals and alignment with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. GKinetic engineers recently visited IMR's facility to examine its printing operations and begin technical planning.

Alex Conway, senior additive manufacturing researcher at IMR, said: "GKinetic's turbine technology is an exciting example of the kind of ambitious engineering challenge that we in IMR can support. By leveraging IMR's LFAM capabilities, we can explore new design freedoms, reduce manufacturing complexity, and help bring innovative renewable energy technologies to market more efficiently. We are proud to partner with GKinetic in advancing a solution that has the potential to contribute to a more sustainable energy future."

The planned work includes optimising the design for LFAM, simulating build times and material use, testing materials and comparing costs and benefits with conventional fabrication. The partners also plan to deliver a full-scale printed prototype.

Founded in 2014 and based in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, GKinetic develops kilowatt-scale turbines for free-flowing water. It has secured more than €5.3 million in development funding and reports successful deployments in Ireland, the UK and France.

IMR provides research, training and consultancy in digitisation, sustainable manufacturing, design for manufacturing, and robotics and automation. Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for supporting the development and growth of Irish businesses in global markets.