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Tidal Energy to Power Homes in Northern Ireland
May 16, 2008 11:31 PM
by
findingDulcinea Staff
The world's first deepwater tidal energy plant will start providing commercial amounts of electricity to homes in Northern Ireland this May.
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When it begins operating, the SeaGen Tidal System near Northern Ireland will produce enough electricity to supply 1,000 homes with power.
The system, constructed by Marine Current Turbines, will be the world's first deepwater tidal facility to supply electricity at commercial levels.
The SeaGen facility joins a growing array of projects around the world seeking to harness the power of the oceans to create renewable energy resources.
Most of the project will be commissioned by May 2008, and full commissioning is anticipated by July 2008. If SeaGen is successful, a full tidal farm could be constructed by the end of 2010 or 2011.
Tidal energy holds promise because of the massive size of the oceans and the predictability of the tides. Ocean-generated power could replace some of the electricity produced by fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For now, however, the technology is still in its infancy. Although the full benefits of tidal energy won't be realized until the technology is more advanced, new developments have been rapid.
The system, constructed by Marine Current Turbines, will be the world's first deepwater tidal facility to supply electricity at commercial levels.
The SeaGen facility joins a growing array of projects around the world seeking to harness the power of the oceans to create renewable energy resources.
Most of the project will be commissioned by May 2008, and full commissioning is anticipated by July 2008. If SeaGen is successful, a full tidal farm could be constructed by the end of 2010 or 2011.
Tidal energy holds promise because of the massive size of the oceans and the predictability of the tides. Ocean-generated power could replace some of the electricity produced by fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For now, however, the technology is still in its infancy. Although the full benefits of tidal energy won't be realized until the technology is more advanced, new developments have been rapid.
Headline Link: Turbine technology is turning the tides into power of the future
Within a few weeks, the SeaGen Tidal System near Northern Ireland will begin producing commercial amounts of electricity for 1,000 homes. Most of the project will be commissioned by May 2008, and full commissioning is anticipated by July 2008.
Source: The Times
SeaGen elaborates on the background, site preparation, installation and environmental aspects of the project at its Web site.
Source: Sea Generation Ltd.
Background: History of tidal energy
Humans have harnessed tidal energy since A.D. 787, when it was used to turn waterwheels and mill grain. The predictability of the tides makes it a dependable source of power, and it could replace some of the electricity generated by fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: Ocean Energy Council
Related Topic: Additional ocean-powered projects
The Pentland Firth tidal stream near Scotland is considered a prime location for generating electricity from tidal power. The forceful currents, described as some of the best in the world, could play a key role in resolving an energy crisis in the United Kingdom, according to BBC News.
Source: BBC News
The Pacific Northwest is also touting itself as an ideal location for tidal power facilities. In Puget Sound alone, estimates indicate that tides could produce enough power for 70,000 homes. Numerous research proposals and requests for test permits have been submitted for locations along the Washington and Oregon coasts.
Source: The Seattle Times
Oregon researchers are using “wave energy,” a wholly different type of technology than that of the SeaGen project. In wave energy, small floating generators ride the swells of the Pacific Ocean, converting vertical movement into usable electricity.
Source: The Christian Science Monitor
In 2007, plans to use the tides of New York City's East River to generate electricity hit a snag when the formidable power of the river proved to be more than underwater turbines could handle. Developers were forced to reconsider the design of their project.
Source: findingDulcinea
Reference: Ocean energy technology
The process of generating electricity from ocean waves, tides or currents, is known as hydrokinetics. Learn about the projects underway and the permits issued for hydrokinetic projects at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Web site.
Source: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The U.S. Department of Energy explains other methods of harnessing wave power, which include both onshore and offshore technologies.
Source: The U.S. Department of Energy
© 2008 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
