Message #744 From:
TheMachine Date: June 14, 2009 01:24:03 AM
River power. VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibrations Aquatic Clean Energy)- Great Video's!
A
novel approach to extract energy from flowing water currents. It is
unlike any other ocean energy or low-head hydropower concept. VIVACE is
based on the extensively studied phenomenon of Vortex Induced
Vibrations (VIV), which was first observed 500 years ago by Leonardo
DaVinci in the form of “Aeolian Tones.” For decades, engineers have
been trying to prevent VIV from damaging offshore equipment and
structures. By maximizing and exploiting VIV rather than spoiling and
preventing it, VIVACE takes this ‘problem’ and transforms it into a
valuable resource for mankind.
Vortex Induced Vibrations
(VIV) result from vortices forming and shedding on the downstream side
of a bluff body in a current. Vortex shedding alternates from one side
to the other, thereby creating a vibration or oscillation. The VIV
phenomenon is non-linear, which means it can produce useful energy at
high efficiency over a wide range of current speeds.
Vortex Induced Vibrations Oscillates Objects in Fluid Currents.
VIVACE
devices have many potential advantages, which improve installation
survivability in the hostile underwater environment and enable low-cost
power production by decreasing capital cost and minimizing maintenance.
High
energy density - permits low cost energy to be produced from relatively
small installations - requiring up to 50 times less ocean acreage than
wave power concepts.
Simple and rugged moving parts -
allows for robust designs that can operate for long periods in the
underwater environment with minimal maintenance.
Low
dependence on ocean/river conditions - application of non-linear
resonance permits useful energy to be extracted over a wide range of
current speeds.
VIVACE and other renewable energy
technologies also face regulatory hurdles. Again, VIVACE is advantaged
by salient benefits over other technologies.
Non-obtrusiveness
- installations can be positioned beneath the surface, thereby avoiding
interference with other uses, such as fishing, shipping and tourism.
Compatibility
with marine life - VIVACE utilizes vortex formation and shedding, which
is the same mechanism fish use to propel themselves through the water.
Prototype,
funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Office Naval Research,
is currently operating in the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory at the
University of Michigan. This device has met and often exceeded
expectations; thereby, providing strong evidence to proceed to the next
scale, a multi-kilowatt field demonstration.
Videos
VIVACE converter model operating in the Low-turbulence Free Surface Re-circulating Water Tunnel
