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Underwater Turbine Harnesses Power to Create Energy

by Peter Mychalcewycz on July 21, 2008 at 03:09 PM

SeaGen

The ocean is finally being used for something other than porpoise sex and yachting (with all due respect to porpoise sex.)

Or, in other words, for the first time ever, the power of tidal energy has finally been harnessed commercially.

The Seagen, an underwater turbine located in Northern Ireland's Strangford Lough (a large bay bordering the Irish Sea) recently generated enough green energy to power 150 homes according to The Daily Mail. And that was just a test. A fully operational Seagen will provide up to 1000 homes with energy. The turbine, which is run by Marine Current Technologies, cost a reported 10 million British pounds.

The turbine uses the powerful currents flowing in and out of the Lough to propel two rotors for 20 hours each day. Unfortunately, there is insufficient energy to propel the turbine for the other four hours due to tidal changes during which the current slows down.

Although marine energy is more expensive to develop than solar or wind energy, it is much more reliable and predictable.

Oh yeah, United Kingdom !? You think your so cool? Well, our president just lifted a ban on offshore drilling! Which is just like what you are doing, except completely the opposite and less effective.

Sigh. [Source: The Daily Mail]





Tags: alternative energy, AlternativeEnergy, future tech, FutureTech, uk

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