SeaPower Promises Emission-Free Power and Water
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 05.22.07
Perth, Western Australia, as we’ve noted before, is considered the most remote city on the planet. And one thing they are running out of, like much of drought declared Australia is fresh drinking water. Plans are in train to provide a chunk of this via a desalination plant, but such facilities do require a hefty amount of energy to run. Wind is being considered. But a new alternative hopes it might get a look in. Inventor Alan Burns has his idea with Seapower Pacific (Carnegie), who’ve invested $10 million AUD on R&D to bring the concept towards the market. In brief: hypalon bladders are affixed to a piston that moves inside a tube secured to the seabed. As the ocean swell ebbs and flows the bladders rise and fall providing momentum to the piston. It subsequently pumps high pressure sea water to an onshore desalination plant. Some of the pressurised water can be then used to spin a turbine, generating power for the the production of freshwater. The intention is to have a forest of these bladder thingees (called CETO) fill an area 2 km x 60m about 8km offshore. Unlike many other wave energy devices, everything is underwater and operates in a passive rather than resistive mode. Apparently the CETOs are relatively simple to manufacture and transport, and their component materials have a proven 20 year submerged life. An independent technology assessment says the concept has significant potential and more trials are now underway with commercial units planned for 2009. ::Seapower Pacific, via ABC.
I bet economies of scale would work very well with this. Some huge pendulum out at the pinch point of some big ocean current, driving a flywheel. Of course, we can expect these installations might also lead to some erosion, as the current seeks the least friction.
Clean energy is important, but we once thought hydropower dams had now impacts. Now we know better, and in the Northwest US we're talking about removing dams to restore rivers and wild salmon. Ocean energy schemes need to be crafted with ocean ecosystem health in mind, and thoughtful zoning to ensure use conflicts are avoided.
The CETO is one of a number of undersea wave systems that should be tested. It requires an ocean to land pipe system for the large volume of water to be pumped. The final outcome is the production of fresh water at a desalination plant.
The questions to consider are in economics and competition. Fresh water is becoming a top priority in many parts of the world and its production is energy intensive. We have to determine the most economical methods of producing clean water and the CETO technology may prove desirable, depending upon the cost factor. We also have to take into consideration the possible damage done to any part of the system due to unplanned destructive wave events such as tsunamis.
adrianakau@aol.com
I'm a student in Durban university of technology (South Africa),currently doing S4 in Electrical Engineering(HC) power systems. I'm doing my final project this semester.
My Project is about designing a system to extract 100kw of electrical power from the coast of kwazulu Natal (Province) using ocean current. This system is to be situated offshore and is not involve any construction on the ecosensitive coastline.
My request is for you to help me with some pages, that you think might help to be able to compile a logical and concise report to assist others in understanding my findings. You can also send me a project of this format if you can as an example.
To contact me or if you want to send me some information, you can email me to tasongz@yahoo.co.za, or cell 0735400366.
I wish God almighty to floored you with with Ideas to assist me to pass this course.
Yours sincerely
Mdleleni Songezo (Mr)