Reply #31: some Commercial Ocean Power projects in process

[philb]

AUSTRALIA ACHIEVES WORLD FIRST WITH WAVE-TO-ENERGY PLANT

On October 26, 2005 Energetech Australia generated both electricity and fresh water from the sea at Port Kembla with their wave-to-energy plant. The machine, named Uiscebeatha (meaning water of life) performed beyond expectations. Sea trials over several months had an average aerodynamic efficiency of the turbine between 52 and 81%, with an average of 69%. The results indicate the technology is capable of producing more power than has previously been claimed by both Energetech and independent research.

In general, the device performed better than previous wave tank, wind tunnel, and computer simulation tests had predicted. The structure will soon be permanently deployed, with connection to the grid via an 11 kV cable. It is expected to generate a maximum of 500 kW of power, as well as to operate in desalination mode to produce fresh water.

http://energetech.com.au:8080/index.htm



BERMUDA TO USE U.S. TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM OCEAN CURRENTS

The Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) and Current to Current Bermuda Ltd., a subsidiary of Current to Current Corp. based in Burlington, Massachusetts, have agreed to utilize the renewable energy inherent in the ocean currents off the island of Bermuda. The agreement is for 20 years and intends to provide nearly ten per cent of the island’s electricity needs. Current to Current’s patented technology uses a submersible, cylindrical unit that incorporates a gearbox to produce electricity via a generator. It is 150 feet long utilizing a four-blade turbine and will be sunk between 75 and 200 meters below sea level. It is expected to produce about 10 megawatts. The device was developed in the U.S. by a team of scientists and technologists led by Dr. Manfred Kuehnie who has many patents including satellite and credit card reading technologies. The Bermuda site is to be the first deployment of BELCO’s Submersible Power Generators (SPG). Garry A. Madeiros, BELCO president and CEO, said that they looked closely at offshore wind generation and acknowledged its viability, but because of the intermittent nature of winds they opted to develop the more consistent ocean currents as a preferred source of renewable energy. BELCO’s chief marketing officer, Helen Manich, said that the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR) will conduct current-flow testing in April and May to determine the best location for the SPG, which will be constructed in the U.S. and barged to Bermuda.

13 February 2006, Hamilton - Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) announced today that the Company has entered into a contract to purchase renewable energy that will be generated from ocean currents.

The agreement between BELCO and Current to Current Bermuda Limited is for the purchase of up to 20 megawatts (MW) of power. The first 10 MW is scheduled to be available to BELCO by the end of 2007. http://www.bermudagas.bm/bhl/news/news45.html



PORTUGAL’S OFFSHORE WAVE FARM UNDERWAY

During March the Pelamis (latin for sea snake), the wave-generating device built in Scotland, will begin the journey from Scotland to Portugal as the initial element of the wave farm to be installed off Portugal’s coast. Pelamis is a series of large articulated tubes, which move up and down with the swell of the sea, driving a turbine to produce power. For over a year it has been producing electricity off the coast of Orkney, successfully feeding the power grid near the town of Stromness, Scotland. Developed by Ocean Power Delivery Limited (OPD) of Edinburgh, three Pelamis P-750 machines have been contracted for by a Portuguese consortium, led by Enersis, to build the world’s first commercial wave farm. It will be located 5 km off the coast of Portugal, near Povoa de Varim. This first phase will have an installed capacity of 2.25 MW and is expected to meet the average demand of more than 1,500 Portuguese household. Subject to the satisfactory performance of the first stage, an order for a further 30 Pelamis machines is anticipated. Further information is available at www.oceanpd.com.


likely not the most cost effective technology available- lots to choose from