Water Power
Scientists worldwide are starting to explore the potential of the ocean as a source of energy. This entry focuses on a few of the achievements in this area.
- Portugal built the world's first wave farm off its coast. The wave farm is called Agucadoura, and was funded by a Portuguese energy company called Enersis. The project uses wave generator technology invented and manufactured by Pelamis Wave Power in Sotland. It is currently generating power for 1500 homes. Watch the video below to see how it works.
- A June Know More post discussed utilitizing the vastness of ocean space, along with the great volume of wind in the ocean, as the perfect venue for wind farms. A satellite is currently detecting speed, direction and power of winds near the ocean surface. It is estimated that wind energy has the potential to provide 10 to 15 percent of future world energy requirements (more).
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A Louisiana wind energy group and a Houston hydro-power company have announced plans to jointly explore developing the world's first hybrid wind-hydrokinetic project. The Wind Energy Systems Technology Group and Hydro Green Energy are exploring the Gulf of Mexico for the best site to begin the project. The Electric Power Research Institute completed a study in 2007 that indicated the U.S. could power 12 million homes with hydrokinetic energy by 2025. (Press Release)
- The Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC) was founded in 2005to advance and commercialize offshore renewable energy, including wind, wave and hydrokinetic technologies. Watch the video for more information.
- Crest Energy Limited of New Zealand has applied for government consent to construct a $400 million marine turbine power generation project in the Kaipara Harbour in Northland, northern New Zealand. The Project comprises up to 200 completely submerged marine tidal turbines with a maximum generating capacity of around 200MW, located near the entrance of the Harbour. (more)
- The U.S. Navy has awarded a $3 million contract to marine power startup Ocean Power Technologies for testing of an advanced version of their PowerBuoy (see video below) that converts kinetic wave energy into electricity. The Power Buoy will be used to power the Navy's Deep Water Active Detection Systems (DWADS) program. (more)
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