9 replies to this topic

[E3 wise]

Tidal Power – Starting to Take Hold

Four years ago Lois and I attended a conference on the potentials of Tidal Power here in the United States and the World.  Lots of buzz was going on about Verdant Powers plans to place 30 underwater turbines under the East River in New York.  Since then Tidal Power has gotten some attention in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, not much here in the United States.  Here is a story about how that may be changing.
On a personal note, we feel that tidal power is much like solar and wind in that by tapping the natural cycles of the planet man could produce much more power than they would ever need, what is needed is awareness and action.  Think about it a never ending, non polluting form of energy production, that unlike fossil fuels does not destroy water resources in the name of electrical production.

Tidal energy projects slowly taking hold across nation

http://www.theday.co...03319909/-1/NWS

Let us know what you think about the potential of tidal power.

[E3 wise]

Here is another link about tidal power
http://www.renewable...energy-take-off

[eds]

PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

Source:  wave-tidal-and-offshore-wind-energy

Directory:Ocean Wave Energy

Source: peswiki

Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay

Source:  Navy  Marines

[Phil]

I must say I'm a little concerned about this, it's impact on local environments.  I hope they go slow and study it's effects thoroughly before wide scale implementation.

[eds]

Phil, on 01 April 2013 - 02:23 PM, said:

I must say I'm a little concerned about this, it's impact on local environments.  I hope they go slow and study it's effects thoroughly before wide scale implementation.

Since 2004, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), has partnered with Ocean Power Technologies, Inc.
. . . to test the generation of electric power from ocean waves using a "PowerBuoy" wave energy converter,
. . . one of the first wave power projects in the U.S.

[GlewEngineering]

Here's an interesting blog written about tidal energy. There is a lot of potential for this alternative energy source.

http://tinyurl.com/mefuysz

What do you think about the "Deep Green" idea?

[Phil]

I think I'd feel a little more comfortable about deep green than the others.  The ocean is much more stressed than land as it is without adding another potential challenge to the ecosystem.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

It depends on what sort of machine they use, but if Dori and Nemo aren't bothered; why not?
They're also installing "wind-turbines" in rivers.

[still learning]

GlewEngineering, on 31 May 2013 - 08:03 AM, said:

What do you think about the "Deep Green" idea?

You mean that Minesto underwater kite setup?

Seems impractical.

Found a reference to a test that was supposed to have happened in 2011 at http://www.cnn.com/2...kite/index.html
Company website is at http://minesto.com/i...l?1370115253116

Firstly, collecting any useful amount of electricity at all out in the ocean with such a setup will be a major accomplishment, in my opinion.  So many unusual aspects of the idea suggests that there will be a lot of as-yet unforeseen problems to overcome.  
Three or four aspects that strike me:
The amount of electricity expected to be produced seems high.  The Minesto site includes some output numbers, but they appear to be calculated, not measured.  I'd feel more confident if I could see the calculations.  Might not entirely understand them, but would like to see them anyway.  Better, show actual measurements.
If you're going to use this kite in tidal flows, what about when they reverse, as they do four times a day, most places.  Land the kite? Relaunch how?
Cost and reliability:  Getting complicated things to work reliably in saltwater is expensive.  Getting electrical stuff to work reliably in seawater is expensive.  Lots of moving parts, lots of electrical parts that'll need to work for many years underwater.  Seems really hard to do at all, much less do in a way that'll pay for itself in electricity sales.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Older thread but
the UK is moving forward on using tidal power-
building several lagoons.
Via BBC news-
http://www.bbc.com/n...onment-31682529