At the age of 11, most schoolchildren are preoccupied with memorizing the secret code of their locker, or struggling with homework while watching TV. But Alexia Bravo has other tasks, namely, to save the planet with the help of renewable energy.
Alexia focused on wave energy - "capable of replacing a non-renewable source of electricity in a home by the ocean."
At the age of 11, Alexia Bravo was the youngest member of the American Geophysical Union's annual meeting. Moreover, she presented her results in the field of wave energy also last year. This year the project has expanded into the field of wind and solar energy.
After doing extensive research in this direction, Alexia decided to take action. She designed and built a small 5 volt wave generator consisting of 16 small generators. Each of them uses 60 meters of copper wire, 12 magnets and a float.
“I tested the structure in the Pacific Ocean, while a string of light bulbs was powered by a generator,” Alexia writes in the report. - The waves moved the floats, and the generator received the energy of the vertical movement of the waves. There was also a significant horizontal impact, and I realized that it was not used in my design."
“To increase power generation, I made design changes to allow horizontal wave movement as well. In the ocean, the generator is also affected by the sun and wind, and I am investigating the possibility of using them to increase the generator's performance.
She created papier-mâché wind turbines and tested them with a fan. She also measured the wind speed on the shore and found that the wind speed is lower at low tide.
“I think we'll have to rethink the original design, taking into account the new data,” she said in an interview. "You may have to give up the wind, as there are better options."
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“The American Geophysical Union is committed to building a pool of talented researchers to help build the foundations of our future, and this meeting recognizes the importance of supporting a new generation of geosciences,” says Alexia. - Only 10 percent of US electricity comes from renewable sources. I think this is not enough. At the local level, it is possible to disconnect from the network one house at a time."
Vadim Tarabarko