Biomimetics To Harness Ocean Power

Researchers at the University of Sydney have applied the concept of biomimicry in the development of new systems designed to convert power from ocean waves and tides into electricity. The concepts adopt beneficial traits from biological systems that have been optimised during 3.8 billion years of natural selection in the marine environment.

The resulting wave and tidal energy conversion systems move and sway in tune with the ocean forces, rather than stand firm and attempt to resist the ocean forces. The new technologies move away from traditional engineering, which has proven too expensive when applied to the conversion of ocean power to electricity. The biomimetic ocean power conversion concepts are undergoing fundamental research at the University, with commercialisation of related technologies also underway.

Wave energy systems with long vertical blades (bioWAVE (TM))respond to oscillating wave forces by swaying back and forth. The motion is partially resisted by an electrical generator mounted at a pivot near the sea floor. When the wave forces become excessive, the device can be made to lie flat against the seabed to avoid damage.

Tidal current systems (bioSTREAM (TM)) mimic the shape and motion characteristics of highly efficient Thunniform-mode swimming species (such as shark and tuna) but instead are fixed in a moving stream. In this configuration the propulsion mechanism is reversed and the energy in the passing flow is used to drive the device motion against the resisting torque of an electrical generator.

Both systems could have nominal capacities of about 1MW and would be deployed in ‘farms’, much the same as for wind turbines.

There are a few challenges that must be overcome in order to progress the original concepts through to full-scale pilot tests in the ocean and then into commercial products. Dr Finnigan has formed a company called BioPower Systems Pty. Ltd, which will commercialise the technologies. The main challenges ahead involve business development, raising funds to support R&D and establishing strategic partnerships to achieve the design/build/deploy activities. At present the company is actively raising private equity capital and is initiating dialogue with potential strategic partners in the areas of power generation and marine engineering.

For more information, go to www.biopowersystems.com or contact Dr Timothy Finnigan, Ph: 02 9351 2126, Email: t.finnigan@usyd.edu.au

Disclaimer: The Warren Centre publishes articles relating to new technology and innovation that are often based on information supplied by third parties. While an editorial process is applied, we make no exhaustive investigation into the accuracy of the information, thus no liability will be accepted for its accuracy. Please note that in providing this information, The Warren Centre is not supporting or promoting any technology or company, merely seeking to inform. Interested readers should take their own steps to verify the information prior to relying on it in any way.

Contents

Steel Industry Shapes Up For Greater Hi-rise Share

UK Steel Fabricators Do It Differently
Biomimetics Promises Commercial Harnessing Of Ocean Energy
NICTA Improves Reliability of Critical Embedded Systems
Pushing the Engineering Envelope With The Warren Centre
 

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(c) The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering, November 2006