Designing a prototype vortex induced vibrations based hydroelectricity generating system

Abstract

With the inevitable concerns on energy crisis and environmental pollution, various types of alternative energy resources such as, hydro, wind, solar, tidal, wave, etc.,havebeen harnessed using various novel technologies. Among all of them vortex induced vibrations (VIV) based hydro energy has identified as one of the most favorable source of energy, which has a betterpotential and the most environmentally benign forms of electricity generation. Vortex induced vibrations is a technique, which makes linear motions from the water flow.TheVIV based hydro electricity generation system can be operated inlow speed water streams where the turbines cannot be used. Also, the design is cost effective compared to other renewable energy sources. This research presentsdesigning and implementation of a prototype VIV based hydroelectricity generation technique. The results of the study indicate the capability of generatingelectricity using the VIV based hydro system,and its applicability in low speed streams in Sri Lanka. The VIV based hydroelectricity generation can be identified asone of the mosteffective renewable energy sources for Sri Lanka.