Electricity from Bouys - Technology for Boaters?

Tampa Bay is the test bed for a revolutionary new method of producing electricity. Marine buoys have been fitted with special devices which produce electricity from wave action.

With enough of these buoys connected together the maker, SRI International claims we could be enjoying the benefits of clean energy from our oceans in years to come.

The revolutionary SRI technology has called it an "artificial muscle." is a sheet of stretchy plastic, coated with a substance that conducts electricity.

The buoy-mounted muscle is shaped like a big Slinky. It stretches out when the buoy drops between waves, and contracts as the buoy rides back up onto a wave. The Slinky-shaped muscle gives off electricity when it contracts.

This power could be stored in batteries and used later.
How much power will the St. Petersburg buoy consistently generate? At the moment, up to a whopping 5 watts, less power than needed for a household light bulb.

Could this technology be put to use for boaters? Theoretically it is possible but at present the costs would be prohibitive, the development cycle will have to run its course before we can hope to use this technology. One wonders though what eventually could be developed from this technology?

Imagine electric powered boats with pods of "artificial muscles" mounted in their hulls. The weight savings alone from this type of fuel for an electric power plant would be mind boggling. Wave power in conjunction with wind power for unlimited propulsion?

Sounds good to us!

NASA has traditionally been thought of as the fore bearer of new technologies which benefit the average consumer in unexpected ways (Velcro), but now can we look to the sea for inspiration and possibly our oceans actually will become the final frontier for new and exciting technologies.

What do you think? Would you like a boat which is powered by a rubber polymer? Comment below.

Photo Source: The St Petersburg Times

August 17, 2007 -- TAMPA – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today visited the SRI Wave Energy Buoy project at the University of South Florida’s Knight Oceanographic Research Center in St. Petersburg. The visit caps off a weeklong focus of Governor Crist on conserving Florida’s environment and combating climate change.

“Global climate change is one of the most important issues we face this century and Florida is providing the leadership in the face of this tremendous challenge,” said Governor Crist. “Every day, scientists are looking for effective and efficient ways to create energy while preserving our state’s beautiful natural environment.”

The SRI Wave Energy Buoy project is a test technology that will produce electric power from ocean waves. The prototype is located on a buoy in Tampa Bay, near downtown St. Petersburg. Researchers measure the electricity generated from the prototype – a cylindrical device enclosed in a rubber case called an “artificial muscle”. Hundreds of the “artificial muscles” linked together could create a thousand watts of power.

In addition, Governor Crist yesterday highlighted the Clean Marina Program and launched the Clean Marina program Web site. The Clean Marina Program is a public/private partnership between the State of Florida and the marine industry. Through the Clean Boating Partnership, the Clean Marina Program works with marine facilities to adopt environmentally friendly practices beyond standard regulatory requirements. The Web site contains information on Clean Boating Partnership programs as well as lists of designated facilities and members of the partnership.

For more information on the Clean Boating Partnership and the Clean Marina Program, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/cleanmarina.

Source: Florida Governor


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