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
TOTAL SUSTAINABILITY
GENERATIVE ENGINEERING OF ENGINEERED ENVIRONMENTS FOR LIFE SUPPORT
CoolReef
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.
