T
EnGen Institute 1992-2018
An array of open-flow tidal current driven renewable energy generators can be deployed with the CoolReef  system when coral reef bleaching is immenent. The array can be placed to slow the influx of wind driven warm ocean currents over a reef.   The South Pacific Ocean Gyre (Current) drives warm surface water currents onto the Great Barrier Reef especially during the hotter El Nino periods.
Blocking ‘Hot’ El Nino Currents
I  N   S  T  I  T  U   T  E
LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
TOTAL SUSTAINABILITY
GENERATIVE ENGINEERING OF ENGINEERED ENVIRONMENTS FOR LIFE SUPPORT
CoolReef
Open-flow Pontoon-based Tidal Current Generator Array
The CoolReef program is aimed at developing cost effective means of propecting coral reefs against Coral Bleaching caused by localized, occassional sea surface temperature spikes.   Sea surface temperatures are already monitored via satellite and on-line telemetry and coral bleaching events can be predicted weeks ahead. Shallow waters over reefs and inshore areas absorb more solar radiation creating a ‘hot’ spot surface layer. Below this thermocline at moderate depths (just 10m deep) seawater is significantly cooler. CoolReef is based on pumping this deeper, cooler seawater over coral reefs when a coral bleaching event is immenent. The CoolReef technology is then temporarily deployed to avoid coral reef bleaching.   CoolReef utilizes collapsible pipes, that fold flat, can be stored on a drum and deployed & recovered like fishing nets. These pipes are connected with collars including renewable energy powered disc pumps. Thermistor curtains and acoustic current profilers are then positioned to measure seawater movement and temperatures across the reef. The system is easily recovered when the threat to the reef has passed which is typically a month or two after deployment.
Great Barrier Reef heated by Sth Pacific Equatorial Current NEXT NEXT