Green Tech Gazette » Water Energy

Dihydrogen Monoxide a Serious Threat to Public Safety

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:22:42 +0000

According to the Federal Water Control Board, dihydrogen monoxide is a serious public safety threat that concerns environmentalists from coast to coast and beyond. According to scientific research at NOAH too little dihydrogen monoxide can lead to famine and draughts and too much can mean flooding of proportions not seen for thousands of years.

But, the personal aspect of dihydrogen monoxide is just as deadly. Too little of this chemical substance inside the body can lead to death in just a few days. Too much can also lead to an undesirable physical outcome.

So, where does dihydrogen monoxide come from? Scientists and researchers say the earth is literally covered with this chemical composition. From sea to shining sea and everywhere in-between dihydrogen monoxide is something that is inescapable to mankind.

According to researcher Patrick Fitzgeraldine, “Dihydrogen monoxide is something we just have to swallow. There is no way around it.”

So, in case you haven’t figured it out, yet, this is an April Fool’s joke and dihydrogen monoxide is water (H2O).

University of Michigan Develops VIVACE Water Energy

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:16:25 +0000

The University of Michigan has developed a novel approach to harnessing the slow moving energy at the bottom of oceans or large rivers. Called VIVACE or Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy, the hydro system can produce energy with just 2 knots of water movement.

Oceans and rivers worldwide typically move at a clip of 3 knots or better, which gives VIVACE the edge over other hydro-electric systems that require 5 or 6 knots to work. The U of M VIVACE system is based upon the water flow over cylindrical objects.

When water hits the leading edge of a cylinder it forms a vortex behind, which moves the next cylinder. These whirlpools in turn swirl the cylinders that are connected to turbines that create electricity from the movement.

Some, like professor Michael Bernitsas, have likened this invention to the idea of fish swimming in the vortices of the fish ahead of them, using the movement of the water to propel themselves in similar fashion to professional bicyclers drafting one another. For years structural engineers who’ve worked on bridges, oil platforms and other large water structures have had to take these vortices into account and struggle with the movement.

The VIVACE turbines, on the other hand, take advantage of these renewable energy currents instead of fighting against them. The slow moving VIVACE turbines are also fish-friendly as won’t hurt the underwater life forms.

Current testing and development of the VIVACE system is being conducted on the Detroit River.

Hydro Green Power Gets Boost for River Energy

admin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:23:10 +0000

Hydro Green Power has received a $2.6 million investment by Quercus Trust develop its river and tidal renewable energy generators. This funding will help Hydro Green Power deploy its hydrokinetic technology to states such as Minnesota on the Mississippi River, where testing will begin as early as August.

Hydro Green Power currently has four methods of generating electricity using water, which include hydro, current, tidal and ocean power. Hydropower is generated from dams and projects usually take less than 12 months, start to finish.

Current power is generated from rivers and streams, which is what the Quercus Trust project will involve. Tidal power uses the predicable flow of the tides to generate electricity around the ocean shores. And, ocean power from Hydro Green Power involves water turbines that are offshore and a bit farther out to sea than the tidal devices.

In Minnesota, the river current project will be the first in the U. S. sanctioned by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). There are also project slated for Mississippi and Louisiana as well.