This portfolio includes information about a tidal energy research project with the University of Reykjavik, a design project for an artificial reef in Hawaii, and a collection of original pictures, videos, and sketches.
2. Juan Ignacio Rion | rionjuan@gmail.com | (310) 699 9263 | juanignaciorion.com
C O N T E N T
DESCRIPTION: Tidal Energy Research with Reykjavik University in Reykjavik, Iceland
PROJECT LOCATION: Bay of Fundy, Canada
DESCRIPTION: Artificial Reef Design with Axis IMA Consulting in Merida, Mexico
PROJECT LOCATION: Maui, Hawaii
In 2014, along with a team of students, we developed and presented a project on harnessing tidal energy
to a panel of industry leaders and University faculty. The research we conducted involved the following:
• Feasibility studies to identify a suitable project site
• Short & long-term costs analysis
• Hydrological calculations
• Environmental impact investigations
• Regional economic analysis
In 2013, while at the coastal engineering and environmental management firm Axis IMA, I helped develop
the design of a non-traditional artificial reef. The project involved the following:
• Prototype building and design alternative comparison
• Short & long-term cost analysis
• Analysis of future weather patterns and trends of human interaction
• Forecasting durability and relevance of design proposals
• Environmental impact investigations
Page 3-4 ..................RESEARCH
DESCRIPTION: Freelance Photography
PROJECT LOCATION: Hawaii, California, Arizona, Mexico, Iceland
DESCRIPTION: Freelance Videography
PROJECT LOCATION: Hawaii, California, Arizona, Mexico, Iceland
DESCRIPTION: Hand-Drawn Pencil Sketches
PROJECT LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA
Page 5-6 .....................design
Page 7-10 .............PHOTOGRAPHY
Page 11 ......................videos
Page 12 ...............sketches
RESEARCH
design
2
3. Juan Ignacio Rion | rionjuan@gmail.com | (310) 699 9263 | juanignaciorion.com
TIDAL ENERGY - BAY OF FUNDY, CANADA
ICELAND SCHOOL OF ENERGY, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND
Nova Scotia has the highest tidal energy Feed-in Tariff
(ComFIT) in the world.
BAY OF
FUNDY
abandoned coal mine
45.212813n -66.163539w
Chosen S i t e
$0.58
$0.43
$0.33
$0.28
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
Nova Scotia
Italy
Portugal (First 5 MW)
Ireland
FEED IN TARIFFS (USD/kWh)
• 2 tide drops per day – Minimum 7 meter tidal drop
• Reduce environmental Impact
• Provide sufficient power & reduce capital cost
• Site has to be close to power distribution lines
• 60,000 MW of untapped energy in Bay of Fundy
• 190 identified suitable sites
• World’s greatest tide change
• Predictability of tides
• Low Operating Cost
• No fuel costs
• Minimal Maintenance
• Soft Fabric Nets protect wildlife
design
constraints
design
particulars
design
advantages
RESEARCH
reykjavik
university
3
"COMFIT." Department of Energy |. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 July 2014. <http://energy.novascotia.ca/renewables/programs-and-projects/comfit>.
Gipe, Paul. "Tables of Feed-in Tariffs Worldwide." WIND-WORKS: FITs Worldwide. N.p., 6 Oct. 2014. Web. 3 Nov. 2014. <http://www.wind-
works.org/cms/index.php?id=92>.
Johnson, Jessica. 'Tidal energy in Canada.' Tidal energy conference. The Ocean Renewable Energy Group. 2006. Accessed July 24 2014.
4. Juan Ignacio Rion | rionjuan@gmail.com | (310) 699 9263 | juanignaciorion.com
15 meter tide drop
8 knot tidal current has more energy than a 380 km wind
60,000 MW of untapped energy in the bay
seawater is 832 times more dense than air
L A K E S I HW A
- S OUTH
K ORE A
L A RA NCE -
FRA NCE
A NNA P OL I S
- CA NA DA
J I A NGX I A -
CHI NA
S W A NS E A
B A Y - UK
M A Y GE N -
S COTL A ND
254
240
20 3.2
240
86
PEAKRATE(MW)
BIGGEST TIDAL ENERGY PLANTS
The Bay of Fundy has the potential to create the largest tidal
energy plant in the world
RESEARCH
• Long Lifespans
• Low operating costs
• Sites can double as information centers
• Malfunction is not catastrophic
• Early in developmental stages
• High initial capital costs
• Environmental effects on marine life
• Can be detrimental to the fishing industry
P O S I T I V E n e g a t i v e
FUNDY’S TIDES PUSH OVER 160 BILLION TONNES OF WATER TWICE A DAY
4 X THE COMBINED FLOW OF EVERY FRESHWATER RIVER IN THE WORLD!
4
"Tidal Giants - the World's Five Biggest Tidal Power Plants." Power Technology. Kable Intelligence Limited, 11 Apr. 2014.
Web. 20 July 2014. <http://www.power-technology.com/features/featuretidal-giants---the-worlds-five-biggest-tidal-power-
plants-4211218/>.
5. Juan Ignacio Rion | rionjuan@gmail.com | (310) 699 9263 | juanignaciorion.com
designARTIFICIAL REEF - MAUI, HAWAII
AXIS IMA CONSULTING FIRM, MERIDA, MEXICO
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Depth (meters)
Type of Breakwater
Recommendations Based
on Depth
Chosen Design:
c a i s s o n
geotextile
floating
conventional
caisson
• Large vessels with deep hulls navigating over structure
• Reduce environmental Impact (Materials & Seabed)
• Large Pacific winter swells
• Deep water installation (Over 14 meters)
• Cheap & easily available materials
• Construction versatility of Caisson design
• Vertical walls provide stability in rough & deep seas
• Requires a smaller body width
• Reduced width limits impact on seabed
• Potential removability & fewer underwater obstacles
• Reduced area provides clearance for large vessels
• Geotextile cover promotes plant growth
design
constraints
design
particulars
design
advantages
axis ima
consulting
5
Fousert, M. W. "Floating Breakwater - Theoretical Study of a Dynamic Wave Attenuating System." Delft
University of Technology Final Report on Master Thesis (2006): 5. TU Delft Repositories. Delft University,
15 Dec. 2006. Web. 20 July 2013.
Fousert, M. W. "Floating Breakwater - Theoretical Study of a Dynamic Wave Attenuating System." Delft
University of Technology Final Report on Master Thesis (2006): 5. TU Delft Repositories. Delft University,
15 Dec. 2006. Web. 20 July 2013.
Tutuarima, W.H., and K. D'Angremond. "COST COMPARISON OF BREAKWATER
TYPES." Coastal Engineering Proceedings (1998): 7. Coastal Engineering Proceedings. ICEE,
Dec. 1998. Web. 22 July 2013.
6. Juan Ignacio Rion | rionjuan@gmail.com | (310) 699 9263 | juanignaciorion.com
15 meter deep reef
design
Our research showed that the different alternatives would
have varying costs depending on the depth of installation:
• Long Lifespans
• Low operating costs
• Sites can double as information centers
• Malfunction is not catastrophic
• Early in developmental stages
• High initial capital costs
• Environmental effects on marine life
• Can be detrimental to the fishing industry
P O S I T I V E n e g a t i v e
Research studies & previously installed breakwater structures
give the average cost per meter for each alternative below:
indian institute of technology - madras 0
50000
100000
150000
200000
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Cost/m($US)
Water Depth (m)
costs in relation to depth
Conventional
Caisson
Composite
Floating
$0 $15,000 $30,000 $45,000 $60,000 $75,000
Conventional
Caisson
Composite
Floating
Cost/m (USD)
TypeofBreakwater
Costs per Meter (14 meter depth)
6
Fousert, M. W. "Floating Breakwater - Theoretical Study of a Dynamic Wave Attenuating System." Delft University of Technology Final
Report on Master Thesis (2006): 5-7. TU Delft Repositories. Delft University, 15 Dec. 2006. Web. 20 July 2013.
Fousert, M. W. "Floating Breakwater - Theoretical Study of a Dynamic Wave Attenuating System." Delft University of Technology Final
Report on Master Thesis (2006): 5-7. TU Delft Repositories. Delft University, 15 Dec. 2006. Web. 20 July 2013.
DOEIIT (2013) Final Report Kahului Harbor Numerical Modeling on Artificial Submerged Breakwater,
Department of Ocean Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
DOEIIT (2013) Final Report Kahului Harbor Numerical Modeling on Artificial Submerged Breakwater, Department of Ocean
Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
11. Juan Ignacio Rion | rionjuan@gmail.com | (310) 699 9263 | juanignaciorion.com
videos
This video was part of a lifestyle marketing campaign for Kamala Trunks and
Mind’s Up. RVVibes was a 1,089-mile RV trip all about recreating the timeless
classic California road-trip. The RV was packed with skateboards, surfboards,
instruments and just enough food to last.
Shot with Nikon D5300 and Gopro Hero4
Music: Odesza – Say My Name feat. Zyra (Jai Wolf Remix)
Snorkeled between tectonic plates, stood on top of glaciers and watched gey-
sers erupt before my eyes. An island populated by 300k Viking descendants
and an odd number of sheep, Iceland is a country that cannot simply be de-
scribed, it has to be experienced. Full blog post here: https://majrmagazine.
com/howmymajrismakingadifference/
Shot with Nikon D5300 and Gopro Hero4
Music: James Vincent McMorrow – Cavalier (Samuraii Remix)
They were an unforgettable 12 months. It was a year full of new adventures,
friendships and experiences. From music festivals to sailing trips, this short vid-
eo is a recap of what 2015 looked like for me.
Shot with Nikon D5300 and Gopro Hero4
Song: Syre - Burn (Ft. Kendra Dias)
Bamboo Life is Mexican company with an ambitious project to make our world
greener by creating products made out of high quality sustainable materials.
They produce bamboo sunglasses and accessories in Asia and Mexico. This
video was part of their lifestyle marketing campaign.
Shot with Nikon D5300 and Gopro Hero4
Original music by: Bash & Zander – Need You
After four years of college, seven of us drove off on a trip from California through
Arizona, Nevada and Utah where we composed some original music, took pic-
tures and made lasting memories. The music to this video was composed and
recorded by Steven Kirschbaum.
Shot with Nikon D5300 and Gopro Hero4
Original music by: Steven Kirschbaum – Till the End of my Days
The Brazilian Student Association (BRASA) organized a conference involv-
ing Brazilian leaders, leading companies and outstanding students called the
BRASA Leadership Summit. This event aimed to educate, inspire, and connect
students abroad, challenging young entrepreneurs to solve the socio-economic
problems of Brazil. This video is is a recap of the event.
Shot with Nikon D5300 and Gopro Hero4.
Music: Stan Getz & João Gilberto - The Girl from Ipanema (N.A.S.A remix)
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