Monday, December 01, 2008

Viva VIVACE !

A system, conceived by scientists at the University of Michigan, called VIVACE, or "vortex-induced vibrations for aquatic clean energy", could possibly be the answer, or part of it, scientists are looking for to solve the world's future energy problems. A revolutionary (Uranus) device that can harness energy from slow-moving rivers and ocean currents (Neptune) could provide enough power for the entire world, we are told.

This is classic Neptune in Aquarius, Uranus in Pisces, known to astrologers as "mutual reception". Neptune connects to water and the sea, Uranus to invention, technology. These two outer planets are currently travelling in the zodiac sign of each other's rulership, Aquarius and Pisces, their "energies" are blended. Look what happens!

In an article in the UK's Telegraph by Jasper Copping he describes VIVACE:

The technology can generate electricity in water flowing at a rate of less than one knot - about one mile an hour - meaning it could operate on most waterways and sea beds around the globe.

Existing technologies which use water power, relying on the action of waves, tides or faster currents created by dams, are far more limited in where they can be used, and also cause greater obstructions when they are built in rivers or the sea. Turbines and water mills need an average current of five or six knots to operate efficiently, while most of the earth's currents are slower than three knots.

The new device, which has been inspired by the way fish swim, consists of a system of cylinders positioned horizontal to the water flow and attached to springs.
As water flows past, the cylinder creates vortices, which push and pull the cylinder up and down. The mechanical energy in the vibrations is then converted into electricity.......

"This is a totally new method of extracting energy from water flow," said Mr Bernitsas. "Fish curve their bodies to glide between the vortices shed by the bodies of the fish in front of them. Their muscle power alone could not propel them through the water at the speed they go, so they ride in each other's wake."

Such vibrations, which were first observed 500 years ago by Leonardo DaVinci in the form of "Aeolian Tones", can cause damage to structures built in water, like docks and oil rigs. But Mr Bernitsas added: "We enhance the vibrations and harness this powerful and destructive force in nature."

It's a piece of hopeful news, surfacing as our Sun lies in Sagittarius, sign of optimism. I feel certain that Mother Nature has a solution for us, it's just a question of finding it in time. She is, like any mother, tolerant of her children's misdeeds - and we've chalked up lots of those!

UPDATE
AND STILL MORE GOOD NEWS!
Hillary Clinton nominated as Secretary of State! YAY!!!!! Thanks P/E Obama.

4 comments:

Wisewebwoman said...

Great post, T. Let's hope this new system is expanded and made available tho my inner cynic thinks where's the money to be made for the Masters?
XO
WWW
PS and word ver has "CRONIES". LOL.

Twilight said...

WWW ~~ Yes, that's the snag.
There's bound to be profit in manufacturing the components, puttong them in place and servicing them though. Wind turbine industry seems to be well underway, I think there must be as much profit in this new idea as in wind turbines. Probably a lot more skill needed to site the equipment though.

anthonynorth said...

This is great news. The answers have always been there, but the oil men refused to listen, and refused to allow the tech research to be done.
Shame on them.

Twilight said...

AN ~~~ There'll come a day when they are forced to listen. The clever ones will listen early.

There's a clever one in our neck of the woods - T. Boone Pickens - a lifelong oilman who has turned to the manufacture of wind turbines. He's already a zillionaire, and getting on in years, but still on the ball !