Kyle Ritenour
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Michael Bernitsas
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering / Engineering
Program: UROP
Session: Session 5 (2:40pm – 3:30pm)
Authors: Kyle Ritenour, Michael Bernitsas
Abstract
With the effects of fossil fuels on the environment, sustainable energy is becoming the forefront of future energy discussion. Hydrokinetic energy in horizontal form in tides, ocean currents, and rivers and vertical in waves is one of the most abundant, clean, and renewable energy sources. For a technology to become part of a sustainable energy portfolio it must harness clean renewable energy and be environmentally compatible: nonintrusive to human and marine life. The research develops and tests a fish-biomimetic, highly scalable converter which can harness energy from both waves and currents using the same physical components. My research focuses on the wave harvesting elements. Using Rhino, a 3D modeling software, I work to create oscillating cylindrical structures that mimic the base function of the VIVACE-W Converter. These models are then uploaded to WAMIT, a commercial computer code, to calculate forces and motions of the oscillators. Then, the wave energy captured as kinetic energy in the oscillators is calculated. The results are used to optimize the hydrodynamic design of the harvester under various environmental conditions. Currently, I am working with Professor Bernitsas and his team, through UROP, to model and simulate the oscillators. Implications to the research include how easily scaled the VIVACE-W Converter is and what are the optimal values of design parameters like cylinder diameter, weight, damping, stiffness and spacing.
