INDUSTRY FOCUS by
GABRIEL HURTADO GONZÁLEZ
Energy Solutions Manager at Mitie
Energy and Biomimicry
THE EMA MAGAZINE • ISSUE JULY—AUGUST 2019
Nature has been around for 3.8 billion years. In that time, it has developed a myriad of time-tested solutions to complex problems; and this is the principle that biomimicry leverages on. Biomimicry seeks innovative solutions to human challenges by emulating elements, systems and processes found in nature.
28
Biomimicry is shaping engineering in a wide range of ways. For instance, the Shinkansen (bullet train) ‘silently slices’ through the atmosphere, thanks to its streamlined forefront which results in high speed and low drag. This innovative design is based on the beak of the kingfisher, through which the bird is able to penetrate water as smoothly as possible in order to catch its prey. This design allows the Shinkansen to travel 10% faster with a corresponding 15% reduction in energy consumption.
“
distances of up to 6,000 km in just one go at speeds of up to 110 km/h. Considering that energy usage and consumption will become even more vital in the coming decades (the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts a 35% increase in energy consumption from 2012 to 2035), engineers and scientists alike are increasingly looking to nature to solve the most intricate challenges.
Biomimicry seeks innovative solutions to human challenges by emulating elements, systems and processes found in nature.
Furthermore, planes are fitted with winglets (curved ends) that maximise lift and reduce drag, thus saving up to 3% on fuel consumption. This design is borrowed from birds called swifts, whose feathers in the wing tips are curved, and are well-known for travelling
”
How does biomimicry contribute to energy efficiency? Can biomimicry enhance more sustainable and cost-effective designs and processes? This article aims to answer these and other pertinent questions.
Energy design and biomimicry 1. Industrial fans, wind turbines and humpback whales Synonymous to a submarine moving graciously under water, Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are able to turn at sharp angles, even at low speeds.
