TreeHugger Picks: Wave and Tidal Power
by Collin Dunn, Corvallis, OR, USA on 05.31.06
TreeHugger covers a lot of bases when it comes to alternative energy; solar, wind, biogas, hydrogen and the list goes on. One of our favorite up and coming forms of alternative energy is wave and tidal power. Check out our picks for diving in to the world of wave power.
1) Get started with a primer on the different version of the technology.
2) Germany has plans for a pilot plant targeted to power about 120 households.
3) Wave and tidal power could supply 20% of the UK's needs; Scotland wants to provide 10% of it's energy needs by 2010 with wave energy.
4) The power of the tide is coming to New York as well, with six tide-powered turbines planned for the East River this summer.
5) GE sees enough potential in wave power to invest some big bucks in it. No matter how you slice it, waves aren't just for surfing any more.
Energy shortfalls are predicted in many countries of the world yet most places are surrounded by renewable energy that can easily be harvested. The most promising is hydro energy because moving water is 1,000 times more energy dense than wind.
Professor Alexander Gorlov of Northeastern University in Boston has developed the Gorlov turbine that efficiently harvests the energy of moving water. He envisions tapping the vast power of the Gulf Stream off Miami to supply all of the energy needs of the Southern US. I think it's feasible.
http://www.nrdc.org/onearth/05spr/gorlov1.asp
Company I work with out of Annapolis Maryland has built and proven water flow turbines - Finished a complete environmental permit to tap Gulf Stream off Ft. Lauderdale - The DOE under Bush canceled installation and cut up the machines for scrap - see UEKUS.COM for more info