Clean Energy

Clean energy is derived from renewable sources—such as solar, wind, and hydro power—and produces zero emissions. They do not contribute to atmospheric pollution. Clean energy can also refer to the energy saved when using energy-efficient measures. Learn more about the importance of clean energy, the services Sigma Design offers to promote clean energy, and a specific case study where our solutions made a difference.

The Importance of Clean Energy

Clean energy is important because of its environmental benefits for our global energy future. Clean, renewable energy preserves the world’s natural resources while reducing the risk of environmental disasters such as fuel spills or gas leaks. Fuel diversification—having different power plants that use different energy sources—can produce reliable power supplies to improve our long-term energy security, ensuring there is enough energy to meet growing demand.

Additional benefits of renewable energy include:

• Reduced air pollution
• Reduced dependence on imported fuels as well as the associated financial and environmental costs incurred
• Creation of jobs to develop, produce, and install clean energy infrastructure and technology

Renewable clean energy resources can be used for a variety of applications, from generating electricity to heating water and more. Solar, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, biomass, and tidal power are all examples of clean energy sources.

Sigma Design Company Services

Sigma Design’s comprehensive services encompass the entire energy product development cycle. We offer: 

• Design engineering
• Design and cost analysis
• Prototyping
• Electronics
• Photo-realistic simulation
• Low-volume (100s) highly specialized manufacturing and testing
• Large manufacturing runs

Using advanced engineering, simulation, and rapid prototyping technology, we can accelerate time to market while helping clients reduce costs and risks associated with product development. Our professional team also evaluates systems and products under development by employing advanced engineering analyses such as:

• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
• Finite element analysis (FEA)
• Deflection simulation
• Fluid flow simulation
• Heat transfer simulation
• Structural stress simulation

Computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools enable us to detect counterintuitive design flaws that may not be obvious early in the process. 

Using stringent test protocols, Sigma Design performs factory acceptance testing on every electromechanical system we build. Our vast manufacturing experience and expertise streamline every step of the process.

Case Study: Hydrokinetic River Turbines

A venture group from Boston approached Sigma Design to help develop a pilot for a renewable energy hydrokinetic generator designed to capture alternative energy. To obtain crucial funding, they needed this fully-submerged, run-of-river device in the water and generating electricity in just six months. The project presented additional challenges, such as hydrodynamic balancing, marine-submersion anti-fouling prevention, and the power-generating electronics.

Sigma designed, manufactured, and installed the 1-meter 3kW run-of-river electric generator on schedule. The system is still running deep in the Mississippi River, north of New Orleans.

Services we performed include:

• Concept development
• Detail system design
• Flow simulation
• Electronics
• Fabrication
• Testing

Clean Energy Solutions From Sigma Design Company

Since 1999, Sigma Design Company has delivered more than 1,000 successful design and design/build projects both on time and on budget. We have worked with many customers across the energy and cleantech industry, and have saved our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars on manufacturing.

Some of our top clients include:

• Bloom Energy
• Free Flow Power
• Motion Power
• GCK Technology, Inc.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Parker and Hoover Dams / United States Bureau of Reclamation
• PSE&G
• Rutgers University
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Voith Hydro
• Wattlots

To learn more about Sigma Design Company and our capabilities, contact us today.

For your convenience:

National Hydropower Association: www.hydro.org
National Renewable Energy Laboratory: www.nrel.gov
Solar Energy International: www.solarenergy.org

Renewable Energy Products and Systems

Download Tidal Power Turbine Brochure

Download Clean Energy brochure