Alternative Energy From The Ocean

by Darren

Alternative Energy from the Ocean is an interesting topic, because so little is known about our oceans. Oceans have been explored by inquisitive people for centuries, but they’re so vast that only a tiny portion of their hidden knowledge has been mined. One thing is certain: the pressure that the waters of the ocean create are interesting sources of potential alternative energy.

Ocean wave energy is powerful and represents massive energy potential.

“Waves are caused by the wind blowing over the surface of the ocean. In many areas of the world, the wind blows with enough consistency and force to provide continuous waves. There is tremendous energy in the ocean waves. Wave power devices extract energy directly from the surface motion of ocean waves or from pressure fluctuations below the surface.”

The energy created by waves varies from location to location throughout the world. One of the absolutely best places for tapping ocean wave energy is located just off the coast of Florida.

Alternative energy from ocean currents

Florida is quickly becoming the hotbed for ocean wave energy research. Let’s be frank, the potential for this research is huge. If energy could be easily and cheaply produced from the ample bounty of the ocean, you’re looking at clean energy that is sustainable and renewable. Plus it could prove a boon to economic development in the state of Florida.

Florida Atlantic University researchers say the current could someday be used to drive thousands of underwater turbines, produce as much energy as perhaps 10 nuclear plants and supply one-third of Florida’s electricity. A small test turbine is expected to be installed within months.

Right now the abundance of technology is merely in the planning stages. But the enthusiasm is catching for many. Right now there are no commercial-scale projects to tap ocean energy, and ocean isn’t mentioned as part of Obama’s Energy Plan.

But all that could change if a technological discovery is made that proves commercial applications are possible. The amount of research being done is increasing, so it seems at least ocean wave energy production is becoming more of a reality.

Safety is a concern, as usual. There’s talk of a “Cuisinart effect” which would be caused by underwater blades. Also, no one knows how economically feasible the whole idea is, given the scant amount of research done so far. That knowledge should rise dramatically in the next 12 months.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already issued 47 temporary permit for projects based on ocean wave energy.

Alternative energy from the ocean is becoming closer to reality. Already signs of development are coming from money released by the Obama Energy Policy. Like this underwater turbine development.

For years, researchers in Dania Beach have been developing an underwater turbine prototype that will be powered by ocean currents to generate energy.

They got a boost this week by landing $1,189,375 from the big spending bill signed into law by President Obama, the first time the project has gotten federal money.

The researchers at Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Ocean Energy Technology plan to join Congressman Ron Klein on Friday to announce the funding at their SeaTech campus in Dania Beach.

The Dania Beach researchers are hoping to make underwater turbines a viable commercial product. This could conceivably give birth to an underwater energy production industry.

Once these turbines are developed they could be sold to energy companies around the country who could quickly deploy them into underwater turbine farms capable of commercial energy production.

The positive impact on employment in coastline areas is obvious. Alternative ocean from the energy is rising fast.