|
Written by Megan Treacy on 03/07/12
|
|
As part of a new study on wave power, the University of Exeter and Tel Aviv University have come up with a system that predicts the power of waves in order to maximize wave energy devices' ability to generate energy from the sea. The researchers found that this system could potentially double the amount of wave energy generated by a device.
Phys.org reports, "The research focused on point absorbers, commonly-used floating devices with parts that move in response to waves, generating energy which they feed back to the grid. Point absorbers are already known to be much more efficient in the amount of energy they produce if their response closely matches the force of the waves and previous research has looked at trying to increase this efficiency. However, this is the first study that has focused on increasing the device's efficiency by predicting and controlling internal forces of the device caused by forthcoming waves."
Wave energy potential is huge. It's been estimated that it could power the world twice over and the UK, where this study was conducted, could be powered twice over just by utilizing wave energy generators along its coastlines. So far, wave energy technologies haven't gained traction the way that solar and wind technologies have because the ocean is a very inhospitable place. Wave energy generators have to be able to withstand the force of each wave.
This new system predicts the power of the incoming wave, allowing the device to respond in a way that extracts the most amount of energy. This controlled reaction not only increases the efficiency of the device, but protects it from damage from rough seas. Where most current wave technologies would be shut off during a storm, a prediction system could allow the wave generator to keep operating effectively.
The University of Exeter is now working with Ocean Power Technologies, one of the largest wave energy companies, to further test the results and develop better technologies based on this research.
Image via mikebaird
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Philip Proefrock on 04/09/12
|
|
With the polar icecap shrinking so dramatically this year, the opportunity for ships to go through the Northwest passage between the Atlantic and Pacific has been so great this year that even a small sailboat has been able to make the crossing.
The Belzebub 2 is a small boat, only 31 feet long. More notably, it is a sailboat with only a 30 HP diesel engine for added power when needed. But, with a crew of 3, this small boat successfully crossed through the McClure Strait earlier this week to become the first sailboat to accomplish this feat.
Although the unprecedented melting of the Arctic ice made the journey possible, this journey was also facilitated by satellite data and assistance from the Canadian Ice Service to locate an open lead of water through which the passage was able to be completed. Other adventurers have made this passage over the past few years, as late summer conditions have melted the ice, and we expect that this will be more frequently done in the coming years.
|
|
|
|
Written by Philip Proefrock on 25/09/12
|
A few days ago, the Japanese government announced its plans to begin to phase out nuclear power with the country aiming to end all nuclear power by 2040. But less than a week later, the announced policy policy was already backing away from that commitment.
Of course, Japan suffered an enormous environmental crisis in the wake of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami when the Fukushima nuclear reactor complex suffered a series of explosions and meltdowns of some of the reactors, contaminating the region with radioactive material. There has been strong public sentiment in Japan favoring an end to the use of nuclear power in the aftermath of the crisis.
The government had initially announced plans to end all nuclear power by 2040. But only a few days later, this decision was evidently reversed in an announcement of the new energy policy that leaves more room for continuing use of nuclear power. Business interests had lobbied hard for changes in the policy.
Other countries have taken steps to phase out nuclear power, but they generally have stronger programs of renewable power already in place. Japan is particularly poor in fossil fuel resources, but could be well situated for renewable sources including wind, wave, and tidal, as well as solar.
image: CC BY-SA 3.0 by Digital Globe/Wikimedia
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Philip Proefrock on 10/09/12
|
At present, the only option for those who believe that killing animals to eat them is wrong is to only eat vegetables. And those who like eating meat but are concerned about the environmental consequences of animal farming also may be looking for other options.
Last week on Sci Show, Hank featured the topic of lab-grown meat as an alternative to raising animals and killing them for food.
Early work on making synthetic meat has produced some small samples, but it is still years from being a fully developed technology capable of producing affordable, commercially viable (inevitable pun) products. And, as Hank asks, what should it be called?
|
|
|
|
Written by Philip Proefrock on 05/11/12
|
Recycling and reusing electronic components could be made much easier with a new polymer that produces a circuit board that will dissolve when immersed in hot water. The circuit board was developed by the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) as part of the ReUSE (Reuseable, Unzippable, Sustainable Electronics) project.
The circuit board material is hardy enough to withstand ordinary heat and moisture, but full immersion in hot water acts to release the components from the board. This allows for over 90% of the electronics materials to be recovered, whereas typically less than 2% of the materials on a circuit board are re-used.
Although this is not necessarily beneficial for the repairability of electronics, it could be a definite improvement in helping get a handle on the growing mountains of electronics waste and make recycling of electronics components and recovery of minerals an easier process.
Video link: YouTube
image: CC BY-SA 1.0 by Mark Pellegrini/Wikimedia
via: Treehugger
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
JUL 03
"Shades of 1889 - Ocean Grove NJ used wave power to raise 40,000 gallon..."
View all Comments