Floating Docks May Be In New York City's Green Future

Each year since 2003 the Metropolis Magazine Next Generation Design Competition has been held. One of this year’s entries is being considered by the city of New York for increasing recreational space and for green energy. Currently, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and GRO Architects hold a provisional patent to the entry.

The idea revolves around the use of floating docks, which would harness the power of the river currents. Each dock “station” would have three vertical turbines which would act as the power generators. The turbines would generate power via the 4 mile per hour currents common to the Hudson and East Rivers in New York City.

If the idea were to go as planned, each module would be able to generate approximately 24 kilowatts of energy consistently. The floating docks would be incorporated into the existing piers electrical system. The 24 kilowatts of energy generated by each module is expected to be able to light 350 LED street lights. This has led supporters of the idea to believe the floating docks would be able to light many city streets with the river energy.

If the floating docks caught on, the New Jersey Institute of Technology believes that the docks would be increased to other parts of the rivers. This would potentially open up more area for recreational use and even tidal pools for various wildlife. In addition, the city would be generating green power constantly.

New York City has approximately 578 miles of waterfront, which makes this concept ideal for the city. There has been no word as of yet whether there are concrete plans in the works to put the idea in motion.