A new company called BioPower Systems has unveiled two designs that generate power by making use of the biophysical properties of marine animals and plants. The first design is called BioWAVE (left picture) which generates power based on the swaying motion of sea plants in the presence of ocean waves. An alternative design called bioSTREAM (right picture) mimics the highly efficient propulsion of swimming species, such as shark, tuna, and mackerel. Both designs generate power by oscillating back and forth in ocean currents.Oscillating instead of rotating makes them much less dangerous to sea creatures; the only possibility of harm to fish and other creatures is them getting smacked by a device, which is unlikely, since the waves that push the devices will also be pushing the fish in the same direction. Even the base that holds these devices to the ocean floor is biologically inspired in its design--rather than having a single beefy piling, it has many small "roots" bolting it to the seabed. This way installing the system is easier and cheaper--it "does not require large specialised vessels or drill rigs due to the small gauge of each bolt."
BioPower says the BioWAVE (kelp-like) generator captures the widest and deepest swath of wave energy of any device that does not require a huge rigid structure. It also rotates freely, so it automatically orients itself to the wave direction to maximize output. In storms, it can also lay itself flat on the ocean floor to avoid the extreme forces which would rip apart a rigid generator. (Or which would require a rigid generator to be massively overbuilt and more expensive.)
Link & Image: BioPower Systems via World Changing
Tags: BioWAVE | bioSTREAM | Power | Energy | Technology | Tech
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