USA Today had an article in yesterdays edition giving a big plug for ocean power, with descriptions of the major technologies.
Developers are using an array of contraptions — from spinning turbines to bobbing buoys and undulating, snakelike cylinders — to convert ocean or river movements into electricity.
The world's first commercial wave farm is scheduled to launch this summer off Portugal's coast. The first pilot tidal generator in the USA revved up in New York City's East River last December. And the USA's first utility-scale wave project, off Oregon beaches, won preliminary federal approval this year. All told, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has cleared 21 preliminary permits, and about 35 are pending for wave and tidal projects ...
Marine energy has some distinct advantages over its chief rival, wind power. ... more in USA Today
Jim, there's a little problem. Clicking on the word "more" takes us to the USA Today article instead of the extended entry.
And while I'm here, thanks for the blog. Good one, mate, as we say here in Oz. Well, I never say it. But I sometimes type it, as you can see.
Posted by: Ronald Brak | April 20, 2007 at 01:48 AM
Wave power is steadier than wind, river power is even better.
As hydroelectric dams come down and river current power comes on strong, what percentage of electric power will come from water power?
I think it will be 25%. Another 25% from large wind power installations offshore and in high wind areas like the great plains. The rest form conservation ( geothermal heating/cooling, direct solar heating/cooling, super efficient appliances, tvs, computers, ultra-efficient vehicles, mass transit and telecommunting for work, robotic organic agriculture) and distributed renewable generation from rooftop solar, biomass to biogas, and small to medium local wind power.
Posted by: amazingdrx | April 21, 2007 at 11:47 AM