Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUnderwater energy turbine passes test period with flying colours
An underwater turbine destined to form part of a major green energy project is already using tidal power to produce electricity for homes on a northern island.
The 100ft-long device, which can provide enough energy to meet the electricity needs of 500 homes for a year, has completed its initial testing period.
Scottish Power Renewables said the results gave them "great confidence" in the turbine which will be installed in the world's first tidal array in the waters off Islay.
The one-megawatt turbine was installed in the sea off Orkney in December in some of the worst weather experienced for more than decade. It is already providing power for homes and businesses on Eday, one of Orkney's northern isles.
The firm plans to use the device in a 10-megawatt tidal array in the Sound of Islay. Planning permission was granted by the Scottish Government in 2011 and it is hoped work can be completed by 2015.
Keith Anderson, chief executive of Scottish Power Renewables, said: "The concept of generating electricity from the natural movement of the tide is still relatively new - and test projects like this are vital to help us understand how we can fully realise the potential of this substantial energy source."
The performance of the turbine "has given us great confidence so far", he said.
"Engineers were able to install the device during atrocious weather conditions, and it has been operating to a very high standard ever since.
"We have already greatly developed our understanding of tidal power generation, and this gives us confidence ahead of implementing larger-scale projects in Islay and the Pentland Firth."
Mr Anderson added: "Scotland has the best tidal power resources in Europe and that's why we are seeing world leading technologies tested here."
http://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/100188-underwater-energy-turbine-passes-test-period-with-flying-colours/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
5 replies, 4490 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (14)
ReplyReply to this post
5 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Underwater energy turbine passes test period with flying colours (Original Post)
MichaelMcGuire
May 2012
OP
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)1. What's going to happen if...
A couple of dolfins are found cut in half in close proximity to those blades?
greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)2. No worries...
Da sharks will dine well.
BlueToTheBone
(3,747 posts)3. The blades looked to be enclosed.
So, perhaps thought was given to the rest of the planet in the quest for power. One can only hope.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,511 posts)5. It doesn't look enclosed at all
However, it does move fairly slowly - video here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18096372
MichaelMcGuire
(1,684 posts)4. We'll have to review any, impact on wildlife. (nt)