Renewable energy from vortex induced vibrations in a slow moving fluid

Abstract

Our motive is to show that useful energy can be extracted from fluids flowing at velocities of less than 2 knots (approximately 1.02m/s) and to also propose a mechanism to harness that energy for the generation of electricity at very little risk and damage to the surrounding environment. The means of achieving this is by tapping the power available in vortices that are formed when a fluid flows over an obstruction placed in its path. The uniqueness of this concept is that energy can be tapped from fluids flowing at very low velocities. This has not been possible till date. The minimum fluid velocity required to harness energy from it has been 5 knots (approximately 2.572 m/s). Even at these speeds the process is very inefficient and not feasible. This necessitates the construction of dams, so that we can increase the flow velocity of fluid to levels at which power generation is productive. These dams cause severe strains on the environment and lead to displacement of the inhabitants of the area The concept proposed here, will generate the same amount of electricity as done by a dam, if laid across a 100m length of flowing water without any of the profound effects mentioned above.