Wave Energy For Spain Keeps Moving Forward
by Tim McGee, Helena, MT, USA on 02. 1.07
Spain has long looked to the ocean for wealth and power- today that wealth and power is more literal. Ocean Power Technologies (OPT), one of the fastest growing in the new field of generating renewable energy from ocean waves, has announed it entered into an operation and maintenance contract (PDF) with the Cantabria region in northern Spain. The contract solidifies an already strong relationship, and allows for OPT to be paid for operating and maintaining the grid power buoy system for 10 years. It was announced that OPT will also sell the associated power plant that handles and distributes the energy generated. A new company was formed to purchase this power plant, the shares of the new company are distributed between Total S.A., OPT, the industrial development agency of the Spanish region of Cantabria, and the energy agency of the government of Spain. This transition illustrates a model for how Ocean Power Technology can build, sell and achieve a renewable energy system directly connected to the grid that helps not only the environment, but the local economy. ::Ocean Power Technology
This article really puts into proper perspective the current chest-beating huffing & puffing by John Howard about how nuclear energy & geosequestration are "the best" (& seemingly only) solutions to solving the Greenhouse gas dilemma within Australia. Considering that the majority of the country's populace live in coastal regions, along with massive industrial developments, Spain does seem to be on the track, whereas the present set of politicians (or shall we say arrogant, bombastic neanderthals) are not. The minor fact that Howard's purported solutions haven't even got off the drawing board yet, let alone won any public support, seeems unashamedly irrelevant, apparently. Go Spain! All power to you!
***
Author Note- Good point. There is a wide selection of alternative energies out there... from biomass, solar, wind, and wave we have more then enough energy- we really don't need fossil fuels or nuclear energy for everyday things. We should begin to think of the 'mix' of energy- as many potential resources should be used- not just one.
this is something you could make a lot of money from, so keep doing it ok.