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Description:Kelp is being explored as a potential source of renewable energy in the form of biofuel and is popularly grown for human consumption. When grown in the open ocean, the fertilization of giant kelp plants requires the sunlight that only reaches the ocean’s surface as well as the nutrients found at depth. This paper details the design, partial fabrication, and preliminary testing of a wave powered water pump-buoy system created to draw up and disperse the nutrient rich, deep water at the surface where the kelp grows. In order to complete this task, the team first refurbished the student Wave Energy Conversion Buoy by removing all of the old equipment inside of the spar. This returned the buoy to its most basic state, leaving just spar and float mechanism. Utilizing a strict budget, the team was then able to purchase the required materials to build the internal pump system. The assembly of the buoy began in March 2020, but due to the implications of COVID-19, the team was unable to finish construction. Despite this, the partially fabricated buoy was tested in the UNH Engineering Tank, which proved that the system did operate. Unfortunately, the planned ocean testing, data acquisition, and subsequent analysis were cancelled as the university closed down. However, valuable information regarding the feasibility of the system operation was obtained and creates confidence that the concept can complete the design task with the investment of future time and resources.
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Sea Grant Document Number:NHU-T-20-006
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Rights Information:Public Domain
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