Green Career Trends: Using Water Currents to Create Renewable Energy, Small Blade Wind Power, Hydraulic Hybrid

By using the natural motion of slow-moving water, a new hydrokinetic generator could open vast new areas of the ocean for energy production.  Vortex Hydro Energy, founded by  Michael Bernitsas, a University of Michigan engineer, has developed a prototype energy-harvester that can capture the mechanical energy water currents create. The National Science Foundation, the U.S. Navy, and the Department of Energy have together contributed about $2 million to Vortex to further develop the concept.

Marquiss Wind Power, located near Sacramento, CA., has found a niche in the renewable energy market by focusing on big box stores, hospitals, casinos, or any other large building with a flat roof and a good wind profile.  By using a small blade turbine and ducts to capture and guide the wind, Marquiss has created an energy and economically efficient way for commercial and industrial businesses to reduce their energy costs.  The turbines do not require transmission lines or other infrastructure costs as the location of the power generated is the same as the power consumed.

Hybrid passenger cars using internal combustion engines and energy stored in batteries are not the only vehicle hybrids.  UPS has purchased a prototype delivery truck that has a hybrid system using hydraulic fluid and a high-pressure pump instead of electrical current and a generator. In this design, energy is stored in a series of pressurized tanks as hydraulic fluid pressurized to thousands of pounds per square inch.  Benefits of this type of hybrid include being able to deliver large amounts of energy quickly and storing energy so that it doesn't degrade over time, increasing miles per gallon, and reducing carbon emissions.