In the past, there have been several posts and comments on this site concerning the ability to access power for offshore or remote aquaculture operations:
- Independent Power for Offshore Aquaculture
- Contra Rotating Tidal Turbine for Aquaculture
- Aquaculture Power Generation via Wave Energy
- Biogas in Aquaculture
- Heading Towards Automation: Self-propelled Aquaculture Cage
- Onsite Energy Storage
The intent of the authors has probably been to encourage us to think about alternatives to diesel genarators given growing concerns about sustainability and cost.
One thing that we have not adequately treated in these posts is the viability of these alternative power generation technologies – especially their ability to be cost competitive with fossil fuel energy sources.
Well, for aquaculture, the game has just changed.
Thanks to the breakthrough thinking done by Professor Bernitsas a totally new approach to power generation exploiting a known principal has been developed. It holds real potential as a low cost power source for any activity operating in a location that has access to low speed water movement (as low as 1 knot) – like many aquaculture operations for instance!
Unlike many alternative power generation alternatives, including those discussed earlier on this site, the energy insight developed by Prof Bernitsas ranks highly against innovation quality metrics.
Michael Bernitsas is a professor in the department of marine engineering at the University of Michigan.
The device works on the well-known principle of vortex-induced vibrations, which in an ocean setting are known to play havoc with the cylindrical steel risers and mooring lines that anchor offshore oil platforms.
As part of his research for the oil industry, Bernitsas has spent much of his career trying to figure out ways to suppress these destructive natural vibrations. Four years ago, it occurred to him that if he enhanced and tapped into these vortex forces, he could design a device that generates emission-free electricity.
The best way to get a quick understanding of how this principle works is to take a look at the video files that show the device operating in a lab setting. One may be accessed:
A new company, Vortex Hydro Energy has been formed to commercialise the breakthrough. Additional video files may be accessed from the company home page (scroll down).
A patent application Fluid Motion Energy Converter seeking protection for the energy generation concept was filed in November 2005.
Tags: Renewable Energy
Posted in Environment, Innovation, Technology. Permalink for this post: permalink.
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