Ocean of Energy

The Ultimate Renewable Energy Resource 

 

Although the only energy we think of when we are out sailing on Na’walak is the energy of the wind to propel us, the ocean can be a sizeable source of energy for civilizations’ needs into the future. Where will the globe’s energy supplies come from 50 years from now? 100 or 200 years from now? It might be right beneath us. There are several ways we can turn this great volume of water into power. Some are new, some are not so new.

 

 

TIDAL ENERGY

 

Tidal energy is a form of renewable energy that is generated by harnessing the power of ocean tides. Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun, and they cause the level of the ocean to rise and fall twice a day. Tidal energy can be harnessed by building barrages or dams across estuaries or bays that allow the ocean water to flow in and out of the reservoir, turning turbines and generating electricity.

 

There are two main types of tidal energy technologies: barrages and tidal turbines.

 

Barrages are long structures that are built across a bay or estuary. The barrage has gates that are opened during high tide, allowing water to flow into the reservoir behind the barrage. When the tide goes out, the gates are closed, and the water in the reservoir is trapped. The water is then released through turbines as the tide comes back in, generating electricity. Barrages can produce a large amount of electricity, but they can also have significant impacts on the surrounding ecosystem and water quality.

 

Tidal turbines, on the other hand, are similar to wind turbines, but they are designed to operate underwater. They capture the kinetic energy of the moving water and convert it into electricity. Tidal turbines can be placed in areas with high tidal currents, such as narrow straits or channels, and they can be deployed individually or in arrays. Tidal turbines have a lower environmental impact than barrages, but they are also less efficient at generating electricity.

 

Tidal energy has several advantages as a renewable energy source. Tides are predictable and reliable, and they are not affected by weather conditions or fluctuations in the wind. Tidal energy is also a clean source of energy, producing no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution. However, tidal energy is still a relatively new technology, and there are challenges to be addressed, such as the environmental impact of tidal barrages and the cost of tidal turbine installation and maintenance.

 

 

WAVE ENERGY

 

Wave energy is a type of renewable energy that harnesses the power of ocean waves to generate electricity. As waves move through the ocean, they create a type of kinetic energy that can be converted into electricity using specialized devices. There are several types of wave energy devices, but most of them work on the principle of using the motion of the waves to move a mechanical device, such as a piston or turbine, which then drives a generator to produce electricity. The devices can be installed onshore or offshore, depending on the location of the waves and the design of the device.

 

Some of the most common wave energy devices include:

1. Oscillating water columns (OWCs): OWCs consist of a partially submerged chamber with an opening to the ocean. As waves enter the chamber, they cause the water level to rise and fall, compressing and decompressing the air inside the chamber. This creates a pressure difference that drives a turbine, generating electricity.

2. Point absorbers: Point absorbers are buoy-like devices that are anchored to the ocean floor. They move up and down with the motion of the waves, generating electricity through the use of a hydraulic or pneumatic system.

3. Attenuators: Attenuators are long, snake-like devices that float on the surface of the water. They absorb the energy of the waves as they move along the length of the device, driving a generator to produce electricity.

 

Wave energy has several advantages as a renewable energy source. Waves are predictable and consistent, and they can be harnessed in many different locations around the world. Wave energy is also a clean source of energy, producing no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution. However, wave energy is still a relatively new technology, and there are challenges to be addressed, such as the high cost of installation and maintenance of wave energy devices, as well as potential environmental impacts.

 

OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION

 

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a technology that generates electricity using the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water. OTEC uses a closed-cycle system that consists of a heat exchanger, a working fluid, and a turbine-generator.

The warm surface water is used to evaporate a working fluid, such as ammonia, which creates steam that drives a turbine. The cold deep ocean water is used to condense the steam back into a liquid state, which can then be recycled back to the evaporator to start the process again. The temperature difference between the warm and cold water can also be used to provide cooling and refrigeration.

 

OTEC can be used in two different ways: closed-cycle and open-cycle. Closed-cycle OTEC systems use a working fluid to transfer heat from the warm surface water to the cold deep ocean water. Open-cycle OTEC systems, on the other hand, use the warm surface water as the working fluid, which is vaporized and then condensed using the cold deep ocean water.

One of the advantages of OTEC is that it can produce electricity continuously, as long as there is a temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep ocean water. OTEC systems can also provide cooling and refrigeration, making them useful for applications such as air conditioning and desalination.

However, OTEC also has some challenges that need to be addressed, including the high cost of construction and maintenance, the limited availability of suitable locations for OTEC plants, and the potential environmental impact of extracting large amounts of warm surface water and cold deep ocean water. Despite these challenges, OTEC has the potential to become an important source of renewable energy in the future.

 

 

OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY

 

Offshore wind energy is a type of renewable energy that involves placing wind turbines in the ocean to generate electricity. Offshore wind turbines are typically larger than their onshore counterparts and are located in areas where the wind is strong and consistent, such as in the middle of the ocean or along the coastlines.

 

Offshore wind energy has several advantages as a renewable energy source:

1. Greater wind speeds: Wind speeds tend to be higher and more consistent over the ocean than on land, which makes offshore wind turbines more efficient at generating electricity.

2. Less visual impact: Offshore wind turbines are located far from populated areas, which means that they have less of a visual impact than onshore turbines.

3. Greater potential for energy generation: The ocean has a vast area that can be used for offshore wind energy generation, which means that there is a greater potential for generating large amounts of electricity.

4. Potential for job creation: The development and maintenance of offshore wind farms can create jobs in the local communities.

However, offshore wind energy also has some disadvantages that need to be considered:

1. High installation and maintenance costs: Offshore wind turbines are more expensive to install and maintain than onshore turbines due to the harsh ocean environment.

2. Environmental impact: The construction and operation of offshore wind farms can have environmental impacts, such as the disturbance of marine life and the alteration of ocean currents.

3. Transportation and installation challenges: The transportation and installation of offshore wind turbines are more challenging than onshore turbines due to the need for specialized equipment and vessels.

4. Weather risks: Offshore wind turbines are exposed to more extreme weather conditions, such as high winds and waves, which can increase the risk of damage and downtime.

Despite these challenges, offshore wind energy has the potential to be a major source of renewable energy in the future. Advances in technology and ongoing research into the environmental impacts of offshore wind farms will likely help to address some of these challenges and make offshore wind energy more viable and cost-effective over time.

 

 

RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW

 

Some of these potential sources of ocean energy are in use today, although they are not yet widely adopted on a large scale. 

 

Tidal energy is in use in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and China. The largest tidal power station in the world is the La Rance tidal power plant in France, which has been in operation since 1966. The Sihwa Lake Tidal Power Station in South Korea is also one of the largest tidal power plants in the world, generating over 250 MW of electricity.

 

 Several wave energy projects are currently in operation around the world, including the Pelamis Wave Energy Converter in Scotland and the CETO Wave Energy Project in Australia. The WaveRoller device, developed by a Finnish company, is also being tested in Portugal.

 

OTEC is still in the testing and development phase, but several small-scale plants have been built and tested in different parts of the world, including Japan, Hawaii, and India.

 

Offshore wind farms are currently in operation in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, China, and the United States. The largest offshore wind farm in the world is the Hornsea One wind farm in the United Kingdom, which has a capacity of 1.2 GW and consists of 174 turbines.

 

 

Although these technologies are still relatively new and face various challenges, they have the potential to play a significant role in meeting the world’s energy needs in the future.