Essay on Speech: Renewable Energy and Ocean Energy Systems

Submitted By ninnjiaaa
Words: 620
Pages: 3

Novel technology that mimics the movement of seabed plants to generate electricity is attracting attention from around the world.

It was in 2006 that Dr Timothy Finnigan first conceived that the motion of sea plants could hold the key to a low-impact method of generating green electricity. Ocean energy is a predictable and abundant source of energy, which has been estimated as able to supply approximately ten per cent of the world’s electricity, needs.

But many wave energy systems act in opposition to their environment and must withstand extreme conditions, making them expensive to manufacture and prone to damage.

Dr Finnigan says the design has three potential benefits over other ocean energy systems: lower cost, improved survivability, and lower impact on the environment, including zero impact on the ocean views enjoyed by the general public.

Biowave is based on the concept of bio-mimicry- mimicking processes that occur within nature. Its environmental impact is minimised by the absence of spinning blades found in other ocean energy systems. It moves in a very passive, gentle manner with a smooth surface and is complaint to the sea-life around. During dangerous wave conditions, the system is designed to automatically lie flat against the seabed until it is safe to resume its original position.

Thus making it cheaper to maintain and more reliable than other options. A consideration that had to be given attention was how it will affect the surrounding environment and marine life. To this, BPS says, “The slow motion of BioWave, and its smooth surfaces, should minimize any disturbance to the environment.”

A YouTube clip will be shown on how bioWave works.
BioPower System is developing other trial sites internationally. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Spanish project development company Elecnor SA to develop a 750 KW pre-commercial pilot in Spain. It is intended that Elecnor would then partner with BPS for deploying its technologies throughout Spain, Portugal and South America.

BioPower Systems has also developed a tidal energy generation system, BioStream, which generates power mimicking the thunniform mode of tail-based swimming used by sharks, tuna and mackerel. Standing as a hinged device on the seabed, bioStream harness energy from the flow of water, which is used to drive the motion of the device against the resisting torque of an electrical generator.

The energy industry as you know, is heavily