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Diversified Renewables -- Florida Looks to Mine Ocean Energy

By Howard Hanson, Ph.D, Professor of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, August, 26, 2009 - Because energy use in the United States is so dominated by fossil fuel combustion -- the Department of Energy estimates that dominance at about 85 percent -- it is not an overstatement to suggest that the country has nearly all of its energy eggs in a single basket. The fact that a significant portion of that basket, the half or so holding the petroleum, is woven together with a fragile political alliance involving the volatile Middle Eastern oil producers makes the metaphor all the more compelling.  more...
Article Viewed 1571 Times  |  4 Comments

Looking for 200 Gigawatts

By John Kemp, Director, Offshore Wave Energy Ltd., July, 22, 2009 - The excellent summary of the ocean power scene by Peter Asmus in Issue 6 of the Energy Central Renewables Topic Center highlighted a number of matters that are of increasing importance as ocean power technology matures. At one point, he suggests that up to 200 GW of marine renewables might be developed by 2015 if U.S. and European targets are to be met, with over half being provided by wave energy.  more...
Article Viewed 1612 Times  |  2 Comments

New Kinds of Hydropower Spark Buzz

By Peter Asmus, Analyst, Pike Research, June, 24, 2009 - While the total installed capacity of emerging "second generation" marine hydrokinetic resources -- a category that includes wave, tidal stream, ocean current, ocean thermal and river hydrokinetic resources -- was less than 10 MW at the end of 2008, a recent surge in interest in these new renewable options has generated a buzz, particularly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Portugal, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, among other countries. It is expected that within the next five to eight years, these emerging technologies will become commercialized to the point that they can begin competing for a share of the burgeoning market for carbon-free and non-polluting renewable resources.  more...
Article Viewed 2146 Times  |  5 Comments

Marine Renewables Make Some Headway

By Bill Opalka, Editor-in-Chief, Topic Centers, Energy Central, May, 27, 2009 - Slowly but surely, energy produced by the waves and tides is gaining some measure of momentum as a viable alternative source of power. At least on the policy front, marine renewables have gained greater visibility in a series of recent decisions, proposals and legislative acts.  more...
Article Viewed 1971 Times  |  2 Comments

RITE Project Demonstration Completed, Build-Out Preparation Underway

By Aaron Hernandez, Communications Manager, Verdant Power, April, 21, 2009 - Since 2002, the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy (RITE) Project has been operated by Verdant Power in the East River of New York City. In three phases, the RITE Project seeks to develop, demonstrate and commercially deliver electricity generated from the tides of the East River using Verdant Power's Free Flow System. The Free Flow System is comprised of three-bladed, horizontal-axis turbines installed underwater to generate clean renewable energy from tidal, river and ocean currents. The project has received key support from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), as well as the New York City Economic Development Corporation.  more...
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The Potential of Ocean Power

By Daniel Englander, Senior Energy Analyst, Greentech Media, March, 24, 2009 -

Ocean power is 832 times denser than the air flowing over wind turbines as tidal waves are predictable up to the minute at least 100 years in advance. Understandable and rapidly declining costs coupled with high performance and output are the primary factors that will drive down the levelized cost of energy for ocean power technologies in the long term. In this report, Greentech Media and the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development address the underlying fundamentals that will determine when ocean power technologies will become competitive with other renewable and traditional energy sources, what technologies will bring the industry to that point, and how investment, government policies, and power sector buy-in will drive the growth of this industry.  more...
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Wave & Tidal Current Stream Activity Set to Increase

By Adam Westwood, Renewable Energy Manager, Douglas-Westwood, February, 25, 2009 - Both the wave power and tidal current stream energy sectors are emerging industries. While development activities run back some 30 years, commercialization of leading technologies in both sectors is only just beginning.  more...
Article Viewed 1970 Times  |  1 Comments

Ocean Energy Makes Waves

By Fred Kesinger, Senior Executive, Everest Consulting Partners, January, 28, 2009 - For centuries, the Makah Indians have been living off the abundant fishing of the coastal waters of northwest Washington State. Fishing boats, construction and subsequent industries have provided a reasonable subsistence for generations of little Neah Bay residents.  more...
Article Viewed 3465 Times  |  5 Comments

Tidal Mega-Power and Hydrogen Production in Northeastern Canada

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , February, 13, 2007 - For several decades the Eastern Canadian provinces of Quebec and Labrador have been major exporters of hydroelectric power to the northeastern regions of the United States. Eastern Canada was, until recently, regarded as having a secure and long-term supply of hydroelectric power until the prolonged summer drought of 2003 and 2004 caused water levels to drop to near critical levels in the hydroelectric dams at Quebec's James Bay installations. Water levels have also steadily declined in the Great Lakes system for several decades. Climate change is suspected as being the cause of both events. It has the potential to reduce hydroelectric generation capacity along the St Lawrence River and on other rivers in Eastern Canada in the future.  more...
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The Prospect for Tidal Power Generation in Central America

By Harry Valentine, Commentator/Energy Researcher, , April, 10, 2006 - The West Coast of Latin America, Central America and North America is both an earthquake as well as a volcanic zone. Despite the presence of these natural hazards, potential exists whereby electric power may be generated from ocean tides at several locations in this region. There have been numerous proposals to install ocean tidal power conversion technology at several sites along the Alaskan coast as well as along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. As demand for electric power increases in these regions, ocean tidal power generation technology would likely begin to appear.  more...
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