Technology to generate power from slow moving river and ocean currents

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Chris Connors of MAKE has a post about "a new way of generating electricity with the slow moving currents found in most of the rivers and oceans of the world." (Video here.)

VIVACE is the first known device that could harness energy from most of the water currents around the globe because it works in flows moving slower than 2 knots (about 2 miles per hour.) Most of the Earth's currents are slower than 3 knots. Turbines and water mills need an average of 5 or 6 knots to operate efficiently.

VIVACE stands for Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy. It doesn't depend on waves, tides, turbines or dams. It's a unique hydrokinetic energy system that relies on "vortex induced vibrations."

Ocean currents can power the world, say scientists