This looks very promising:
A revolutionary device that can harness energy from slow-moving rivers and ocean currents could provide enough power for the entire world, scientists claim.
The new device, which has been inspired by the way fish swim, consists of a system of cylinders positioned horizontal to the water flow and attached to springs.
As water flows past, the cylinder creates vortices, which push and pull the cylinder up and down. The mechanical energy in the vibrations is then converted into electricity.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/...
The article then explains that the device is more efficient than similar-sized turbines or wave generators....
The scientists behind this invention claim some impressive numbers:
Systems could be sited on river beds or suspended in the ocean. The scientists behind the technology, which has been developed in research funded by the US government, say that generating power in this way would potentially cost only around 3.5p per kilowatt hour, compared to about 4.5p for wind energy and between 10p and 31p for solar power. They say the technology would require up to 50 times less ocean acreage than wave power generation.
That just blows away the costs of wind and solar. Whatever it takes to get us off Saudi oil....
H/T Raw Story for the story...
H/T Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse for the picture...
Update: Research on VIVACE was performed by Michael M. Bernitsas at the University of Michigan. He applied for a patent.
Thanks kalmoth for the information above and for the interesting discussion (under my tipjar) about wind vs. water.