Ocean’s Energy

[Davies97]

Ocean water energy is processed by converting potential energy from water stored above or uphill or at a higher pressure level into kinetic energy. This conversion can be harnessed by water wheels or by electrical turbines. There is a huge amount of energy that can be harnessed from the ocean water, which covers nearly 70% of the earth’s surface.

The ocean’s water can be used in two ways to generate electricity. It can be generated through tides and ocean current. Tides which occur reliably can be predicted many days in advance. This power of the tides can be collected through dams, using a barrage and through turbines. In tidal dams, a barrage is used at a bay or estuary with a large tidal range. Tidal turbines take advantage of fast-flowing ocean currents to create energy. The most prolific tidal turbines are horizontal axis turbines that in many ways are analogous to wind turbines.

Waves, which are caused by wind blowing over the surface of the ocean, also carry tremendous energy. It is calculated that the amount of power carried by these waves, breaking world’s coastlines is around 2-3 million megawatts. The energy from the waves is captured directly from surface waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface, using point absorbers, which resemble offshore buoys that measure environmental data. The power generated from the waves is so high that it can power as much as 10% of the world’s electrical demand.

[Rapadura]

I believe that ocean streams should be harnessed to generate energy. Ocean streams are like huge rivers under the surface of the sea. To take advantage of ocean streams would not be necessary to build dams, just put turbines in the correct locations.

Imagine how much energy could be generated if the Gulf Stream was used to move turbines underwater. And the Gulf Stream is not the only ocean stream in the world, there are many others.

[Rapadura]

Look at this:

http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Tidal_Power

"Underwater Electric Kite (UEK) Corporation - Low impact hydrokinetic turbines harness tide and river flow, without harming aquiatic life, requiring no dam or impoundment. Commercial energy generation cost estimated at between 1.8 and 2.8 cents per kW-h."

I'm sure that electricty can be generated at lower costs using water to move turbines (without any dam) than using wind to move turbines.

However, there are the costs of transmitting energy. Transmitting costs can make the final price to the end user to be higher than that of concentrated solar power. Concentrated solar power has the advantage of generating power in a more decentralized way, closer to the end user, reducing transmission costs.

Maybe in the future, coastal areas can have its electricity coming from ocean energy, and non-coastal areas can  have its electricity coming from concentrated solar systems.

[christo4_99]

transmittal costs should be factored in as initial infrastructure costs.

[Rapadura]

The electric power transmission grid requires maintenance, and maintenance means costs...