The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority is exploring ways to generate clean power from the Detroit River. They have teamed up with Ann Arbor-based Vortex Hydro Energy to develop a hydrokinetic energy pilot project at the site of the Public Dock & Terminal Facility they are developing between Hart Plaza and the Renaissance Center.
DWCPA was awarded $50,000 from the DTE Energy Foundation last year to investigate alternative methods of powering the terminal and associated off-shore wharf—an $11.5 million project in total. Vortex, a University of Michigan spin-off start-up, has developed an ingenious method of using water currents, by maximizing a naturally-occurring phenomenon called vortex induced vibrations, to create energy. Vortex approached DWCPA with their prototype in the hopes of demonstrating its viability on the Detroit River.
DWCPA, with the help of NextEnergy, is pursuing federal earmark funding from the US Department of Energy to build the demonstration project that will be able to power, at minimum, the wharf component of the facility. Meanwhile, Vortex is concurrently pursuing funds from the Department of Defense in order to ensure the project has traction. DWCPA's director of economic development and grants management, John Kerr, has high hopes for the pilot. If all goes as well as is hoped, the entire port facility—not just the wharf—will be powered by hydrokinetic energy.
As the technology has global applications—waters like the Hudson River and the English Channel flow much faster than does the Detroit River—Kerr longs to see the day when his agency is "bringing people to Detroit to see this." He anticipates construction will begin this year—the agency has just finalized the selection of a joint-venture construction management team and design and sub-surface work have been completed.
Source: John Kerr, DWCPA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
Image courtesy of DWCPA
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.