OTEC
Archived Posts from this Category
Commercial-scale wave energy project to be installed in Oregon
Posted by admin2 on 10 Aug 2010 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
Ocean Power Technologies is planning to install a commercial-scale wave energy project off the coast of Oregon.
OPT is looking to install 10 of its 150kW PowerBuoy PB150 wave energy devices in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Reedsport, Oregon, and connect them to the electrical grid.
Two wave energy devices receive funding in Scotland
Posted by admin2 on 08 Jul 2010 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
Aquamarine Power, producer of the Oyster, and AWS Ocean Energy, maker of the AWS-III, together received £4.39 million in funding to continue development of those devices.
The Oyster demonstration project will consist of three 800kW hinged flaps, each measuring 26m by 16m. The flaps are moved by the motion of near shore waves, which in turn drive two hydraulic pistons that push high-pressure water onshore to drive a conventional hydro-electric turbine.
Aquamarine Power claims each flap will deliver 250 per cent more power than the original Oyster prototype, which was successfully deployed at EMEC in 2009.
The three devices will be linked to a single onshore 2.4MW hydro-electric turbine. The new devices incorporate modifications that are expected to facilitate the production of more energy, be simpler to install and easier to maintain.
3.8 GW of ocean energy by 2015
Posted by admin2 on 18 Apr 2010 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
A new report suggests that installed global capacity of ocean energy may reach 3.8 gigawatts by 2015.
Europe, Oceania, and North America lead the global ocean energy market, as stated by the new market research report on ocean energy market. Ocean energy, one of the most abundant and predictable energy sources is capable of supplying about 10% of the global electricity needs. New interests and technological advancements are giving rise to new industry activity. Though the market was hit by declining oil prices during the 1970′s, the sector is reviving, owing to increased concerns over global warming, rising oil prices, and the need for energy security. The significant rise in the number of commercial projects being undertaken across the world is an indication of the growing importance of ocean energy. Industry growth depends on breaking the barriers of defining policies to support development, expanding cooperation between private and public sectors, setting industry standards, and ensuring sustained development of new technologies.
Lockheed Martin given grants to study OTEC
Posted by admin2 on 16 Apr 2010 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
The US Department of Energy has awarded Lockheed Martin $1 million to study ways to generate electricity from the temperature differences between deep and shallow ocean water.
With a sufficient temperature difference (~40° F) between the warm upper layer and the cold deep water, net power (power generated after subtracting the power needed to run the system) can be produced. Some semiconductor startups perform a similar trick on land with the Seebeck Effect, i.e., generating power from the temperature difference between a steam pipe and the outside air. At MIT, some scientists even hope to harvest power, via the Seebeck Effect, through body heat. Armpits won’t replace nuclear plants but it could possibly replenish batteries.
Ocean energy could potentially produced 80,000 TWH/year
Posted by admin on 04 Aug 2009 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
A new report, Ocean Energy Technologies and Components Worldwide, includes detailed analysis of ocean technologies.
Global energy consumption amounts to over 17,400 Terawatt hours per year, with United States’ use alone accounting for approximately 11,200 Terawatt hours per year. Ocean energy technology has the potential to generate over 93,100 terawatt hours/year with the two most viable options being wave technology and thermal gradient technology. Wave Energy technology alone has the potential to produce up to 80,000 TWH/year, while OTEC could produce up to 10,000 TWH/year. Salinity Gradient technology, still an emerging science, has the potential to produce 2000 TWH/year. Given the Obama administration’s commitment to green technology and renewable energy alternatives, the outlook for 2009-2010 is very positive for increased investment in both domestic and global ocean energy developments.
Chile, US to work on renewable energy
Posted by admin on 30 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biofuel, Geothermal, OTEC, Ocean Energy, Solar, Wind
The United States and Chile are joining forces to work on non-conventional renewable energy.
Under the agreement, Chile and the United States will cooperate on high priority energy issues, such as energy efficiency technologies and developing renewable energy sources including ocean, solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels.
The agreement also makes Chile’s new Renewable Energy Center eligible for U.S. Department of Energy technical support.
Lockheed ventures into green industries
Posted by admin on 21 Jun 2009 | Tagged as: Biomass, OTEC, Ocean Energy, Solar
The United States’ largest defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, is using technology developed for military and aerospace use in green industries.
Lockheed’s traditional activities have equipped it with expertise that can be put to work in new environmental businesses. It made the solar panels that have powered satellites and manned craft since America’s space programme began in the 1950s. In the process, it has developed power-management technology that can be applied to civilian electricity grids.
Renewables could provide 40% of world’s power needs by 2050
Posted by admin on 13 Mar 2009 | Tagged as: Biofuel, Biomass, Geothermal, Hydro, OTEC, Ocean Energy, Solar, Wind
An International Scientific Congress study suggests that renewable energy could generate 40% of the world’s energy needs by the middle of the century.
“Our findings demonstrate that with global political support and financial investment, previous notions that the potential for renewables was in some way limited to a negligible fraction of world demand were wrong,” said Lund. “If we prioritize and recognize the value of renewable energy technologies, their potential to supply us with the energy we need is tremendous.”
Oregon county takes initiative in wave energy
Posted by admin on 03 Nov 2008 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
Tillamook County, Oregon officials have obtained permits from federal authorities to study six potential sites for the development of ocean energy.
Wave energy projects in Oregon could be generating 500 megawatts of electricity by 2025 or sooner, according to the Wave Energy Trust, a nonprofit that promotes the “responsible development” of ocean energy. That’s about 3 percent of the electricity used by Oregonians today.
Oregon gets DoE grant for ocean energy research
Posted by admin on 20 Sep 2008 | Tagged as: OTEC, Ocean Energy
The US Department of Energy has awarded a $6.25 million grant to Oregon State University to establish an ocean energy research center in Newport, Oregon.
The center will use some of the money to build a floating berth about 11/2 miles off the coast at Newport. OSU scientists will conduct their own research on various wind energy technologies at the test berth and will allow private companies to do the same.
The center also will analyze the environmental impacts of wave energy devices on marine life and the seabed and seashore. Fishermen and other residents of coastal communities worry that wave energy development could harm valuable fisheries and disrupt fragile habitats.
