JUL 16

Two fair-sized tidal energy projects are on their way to the east coast. First up is (ready for this mouthful?) the Edgartown-Nantucket Tidal Energy Plant Water Power Project. The project proposes 50 underwater turbines turned by the ebb and flow of the tide. A 3 mile-long transmission line would carry the electricity generated to land, where it would be sold to local utilities. Edgartown and Nantucket would be the beneficiaries of the 2 MW of peak output.

The second project is planned for Vineyard Sound and it has a slightly more manageable title: The Cape and Islands Tidal Energy Project. This project is looking at clusters of underwater turbines – each with the ability to put out between 1 and 3 MW during peak tide – with up to 150 of these energy generators installed. The proposed turbines are on the scale of what was recently installed off Ireland, which is a 1.2 MW turbine and touted as the world’s largest.

Right now the projects are doing research to see if this kind of output is possible, and if it can be done cheaply enough to make it viable. From what they can tell, the 1.5 meters-per-second average current speed probably won’t hack it to turn the turbines fast enough for them to create enough electricity to make the project worth while. It takes a current speed of about 2 meters-per-second to get that kind of energy generation going. Locals, and EcoGeeks, are eagerly awaiting more test results to find out if these projects could work.

Via CapeCodOnline, MVTimes

Comments (8)

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reasearch
written by The Food Monster, July 17, 2008

http://thefoodmonsterblog.blogspot.com
Seeing it happen is more comforting than research. Likewise, research is more comforting than no action.

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more locations?
written by Tim, July 18, 2008

This is a really important development, I think. I’ve always been troubled by the fact that tidal power has such potential, yet previous schemes such as the Rance all involve environmental degradation, as Hugh pointed out. Another problem I read was that tidal barrage systems (where the estuary is actually dammed) require a very large tidal range that is found in fewer than 50 known locations around the world. Does anyone know if these turbines require similarly extreme tidal conditions? If not, it would greatly expand the potential of tidal power development.

More on energy solutions to society’s most pressing challenges: http://www.brightfuture.us/new

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River
written by nyrcdd, July 18, 2008

Wouldn't the water be fast enough in the Niagara River above Niagara Falls?

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river2
written by nordic, July 18, 2008

Look at niagara power project. They already get a butt load of power from the falls.

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Concern?
written by john, July 18, 2008

Couldn't this cause harm to the natural current flow and damage the habitats for fish? Cape wind is a much more realistic idea and look how long it has taken to get any headway on that project, and thats a proven technology.

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Teach English Overseas
written by Fred, July 19, 2008

Why not teach English overseas? Good $$$ visit http://www.eslbean.com for more details.


eslbean

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Program Design
written by Sam, July 23, 2008

Fish will find a way to live with and around the power plant turbines. Its the people who look out for the fish that we have to worry about when putting these plants in. These people sit at home in their AirConditioned homes thinking of ways for us to keep relying on fossil fuel for power. Its a vicious circle, the green people want us to use renewable and clean energy, but when we think of a way to use clean and renewable energy, they come up with ways to keep us from using it. The fish will survive, they always do. And if they do die or their habitat gets destroyed, blame chemicals and pesticides, water is full of them.

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xvsdgg
written by vasanth, August 04, 2008

gdxbd gud... :)

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