Building the world's 1st hybrid power turbine

At an assembly plant in Japan, a center pole for one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation turbines is seen during the early stages of construction.

The first completed Skwid units are to be tested off Japan's southwest coast in autumn 2013.

Center pole

A center pole for one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation turbines is seen during the early stages of construction in Japan.

Blades

The blades for the above-sea, Darrieus Wind Turbine portion of one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation units is seen during construction in Japan.

Nacelle

The nacelle of one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation turbines is seen during construction in Japan. The nacelle is the central part of a turbine which houses most of the mechanical workings aboard the unit.

Nacelle close-up

A close-up view of a nacelle for one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation turbines during construction in Japan.

Floater platform

A "floater" component of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation turbine — Modec

The floater platform for one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation turbines is seen during construction in Japan.

A solar panel array is visible on the floater's deck which will be used to generate power for the on-board computer and operational systems.

Inside the floater

A view inside the floater, which essentially functions as the massive, floating hybrid turbine's hull.

The floater platform is connected to the rest of the unit by massive rubber mounts, to enable it to absorb the movements of rolling waves without disrupting the turbine's function.

Inside the floater

Another view inside the floater shows some of the electronic hardware involved in making the Skwid unit function.

Right now, there is no way for the electricity generated by the turbine to be stored on the unit at sea, so the electricity is fed back to shore via tethering cables.

Sovonius Current Turbine

The under-sea turbine for one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation units — Modec

The under-sea, or Sovonius Current turbine, for one of Modec's "Skwid" hybrid power generation units is seen during construction in Japan.

Driven by the tide, this turbine is expected to generate between 10 and 20 percent of the overall electricity for each unit.

The Sovonius Current turbine also acts as a ballast for the hulking Skwid system, keeping the entire unit upright, even in rough seas.