About Us
Vortex Hydro Energy
Dedicated to providing cost effective, clean, renewable electricity and fresh water to the people of the world.
Our VIVACE technology uses the extensively studied phenomenon of vortex induced vibrations to extract useful energy from ocean, river, tidal and other water currents.
Founded in 2004, Vortex Hydro Energy LLC (VHE) is a Michigan based company dedicated to providing cost effective, clean, renewable electricity and fresh water to the people of the world. Our technology, nicknamed VIVACE, uses the extensively studied phenomenon of vortex induced vibrations to extract useful energy from ocean, river, tidal and other water currents. VIVACE installations are non-obtrusive, environmentally friendly, and have an extremely high energy density compared to other renewable technologies.
The VHE team members:
Dr. Michael M. Bernitsas - Chief Technology Officer/Interim Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Michael M. Bernitsas, the inventor of VIVACE, is VHE’s CTO and interim CEO. Dr. Bernitsas is a renowned expert in the study of underwater structures, and a tenured faculty member in the University of Michigan’s Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NA&ME) Department. He served nine years as Department Chair and presently directs a $3 million Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded research and education partnership. Dr. Bernitsas was awarded the prestigious Blakely-Smith medal for outstanding accomplishments in Ocean Engineering. He holds an SM in NA&ME and SM and PhD in Ocean Engineering, all from MIT.
James C. MacBain - President
Dr. James MacBain is President of Vortex Hydro Energy where, in partnership with Professor Michael Bernitsas at the University of Michigan, he is developing the VHE energy generating system, VIVACE. Prior to coming to VHE, Dr. MacBain was Director of Government Relations at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. At UM he played a key role in the creation of a number of research centers and industrial research partnerships. These included the development of research centers in automotive research, reconfigurable manufacturing systems, wireless microelectromechanical systems and, recently, the establishment of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute. Dr. MacBain has a diversified background that in addition to academia includes time spent as a government researcher and industrial research director. He holds a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University.
Gustavo Simiao - Director for Business Development
Gus Simiao has been a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) since 2007. Prior to BCG, Mr. Simiao had five years of engineering management experience and three years of sales and marketing experience. Mr. Simiao holds an MBA with emphasis on entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan and a BS in mechanical engineering with concentration in aerodynamics.
Tad Dritz - Consultant on Environmental and Business Issues
Tad Dritz has a broad range of business experience including six years in the oil and gas industry, where he participated on multiple offshore projects. Previously, Mr. Dritz worked with a start-up chemical process technology firm in business development. There, he helped establish industrial partnerships with Fortune 100 companies and raise over $70 million from industrial partners and government sources. Mr. Dritz holds both an MBA and MS in Natural Resources and the Environment from the University of Michigan.