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.
Vortex Hydro Energy is a privately held company. Several years are anticipated before VHE becomes traded in any stock exchange.
Gus Simiao - Chief Executive Officer
Prior to coming to VHE, Mr. Simiao worked in management consulting with The Boston Consulting Group where he advised large corporate clients in identification and implementation of business strategies, resulting in business performance improvement. He worked in a wide variety of projects in areas such as strategic planning, growth strategy, global logistics optimization, organization and communication, cost reduction, and others. Prior to BCG, Mr. Simiao worked in the automobile industry in engineering management, product engineering, and sales engineering. Mr. Simiao holds an MBA with emphasis in General Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Michigan and a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo with concentration in aerodynamics.
Dr. Michael M. Bernitsas - Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Michael M. Bernitsas is the inventor of VIVACE. Dr. Bernitsas is a renowned expert in the study of underwater structures, and a tenured faculty member in the University of Michigans 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.
Dr. James C. MacBain - VP of Outreach and Development
Dr. MacBain is Vice President for Outreach and Development at Vortex Hydro Energy where he is working with the rest of the VHE team to develop and perfect 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. He also helped to establish UM’s 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.