Novel Wave-Powered Generators Deployed in Sea Trials off Florida Coast
Technology from SRI International Offers Clean Energy Production from Ocean Waves
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – August 3, 2007 – SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research and development organization, announced today the deployment of a prototype buoy-mounted, ocean wave-powered generator off the coast of Florida in the Tampa Bay. Beginning today, SRI will test the wave-powered generator for approximately two weeks. The deployment is part of a program sponsored by HYPER DRIVE Corporation, Ltd., a Japanese company focused on development and deployment of wave-powered generators around the world.
Related: Watch a demonstration video about the technology.
SRI's wave-powered generators can be deployed on existing ocean buoys that use batteries as their energy source. SRI's new generator utilizes patented electroactive polymer artificial muscle (EPAM™) technology, and offers a renewable method to continually power ocean buoys. SRI will use instrumentation that allows remote monitoring of the generator's output energy as well as wave height and buoy motion. Assisting the Menlo Park, California-based research team are researchers in SRI's new Marine Technology Program, which is located in St. Petersburg, Florida. SRI is also working with Artificial Muscle, Inc., an SRI spin-off company and the exclusive licensee of EPAM, in the development of the EPAM components for the wave-powered generators.
"HYPER DRIVE is excited to work with SRI on this important application of EPAM technology," said Shuji Yonemura, CEO, HYPER DRIVE. "We see great potential in applying this technology to wave-power generation around the world in the near future."
"When SRI International opened its operations in St. Petersburg earlier this year, we anticipated great strides in marine research like we see today," said St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker. "This energy-generating technology is a perfect fit for an industry based in St. Petersburg, which was designated Florida's first and only green city by the Florida Green Building Coalition."
"In this first application of EPAM to wave-power generation, we are able to demonstrate the feasibility of a new, low-cost, and highly efficient technology that can harvest electricity directly from ocean waves," said Philip von Guggenberg, Director of Business Development, SRI International. "This approach is an important first step in harnessing the vast amounts of energy stored in the ocean."
The generator, initially deployed on a navigation buoy for ports and harbors, is capable of generating 20 joules of energy per stroke, which corresponds to an average output power of more than 5 watts under typical ocean wave conditions. The current development program aims at developing generators that can produce 25 watts of average output power. This is sufficient to supply all the power required by navigational buoys. Future efforts will address the design, development, and deployment of wave-powered generators capable of generating power in the kilowatts range for large-scale clean energy production.
About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for more than 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs client-sponsored research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses, and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships, and creates spin-off companies.
About HYPER DRIVE
HYPER DRIVE Corp., Ltd. is a two-year-old venture-backed startup company based in Tokyo, Japan. The company is focused on the application of EPAM to wave-power generation. HYPER DRIVE has developed the first dipole speaker and announced it at the AES 13th Regional Convention, Tokyo, 2007 in cooperation with Japan Broadcasting Corporation's Science & Technical Research Laboratories (NHK). HYPER DRIVE has been developing other water-based generators including a watermill generator. HYPER DRIVE will continue to focus on developing power-generating systems that use wind and other natural resources.
About Artificial Muscle Incorporated
Artificial Muscle, Inc. (AMI) is a high-technology company that designs and manufactures actuator and sensing components based on the new technology platform called electroactive polymer artificial muscle (EPAM). AMI was founded by SRI International, which is a Silicon Valley non-profit research and development institute that has a history of 60 years of developing advanced technologies, to exclusively commercialize artificial muscle technology. EPAM technology was developed at SRI over a 12-year period. AMI became an independent company in early 2004 with venture fund financing from Vanguard Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, and NGEN Partners.
