13 Sep From the Ocean to the burner!
When you prepare lunch, do your laundry or watch TV, often than not we don’t even think about the power that enables those activities.
As world population soars, so does the need for renewable energy sources which can sustain that growth. According to statista.com, in only 5 years (2012-2017), global renewable energy consumption, skyrocketed from 238.7 to 486.8 million tons of oil, which was increase of a whopping 103%! You wonder why oil is mentioned in the same context as a renewable energy? Answer might surprise you…, Oil is used as a benchmark for consumption, hence the comparison.
Aside from the wind and sun, ever increasing attention is turned towards the ocean, which provides free energy, ready to be exploited.
Why Ocean?
Wind based turbines and solar panels are well known to us all. However, it is not common knowledge, that they are not efficient energy providers. For example, solar panels can absorb just over 0.2kw per square meter, windmills around 3kw, while ocean turbines can absorb astonishing 30kw!
What are the pros?
While solar and wind power is determined solely on weather conditions, that is not the case with the ocean. Currents that are powering ocean turbines, are according to Dr. Ted Brekken researcher from the University of Oregon, present 24/7. In other words, ocean currents are very reliable partner in electricity production process.
What are the cons?
Design and functionality are the main obstacles when it comes to ocean turbine. There are plenty of design concepts, however Dr. Brekken, points out that main issue is the environment itself. The oceans are not very forgiving when it comes to devices that contain sophisticated technology such as turbine. Many engineering challenges are still unsolved before we can even consider commercial usage of turbine as a tool in a power production process.
Future
Efficiency and economic sustainability of a technology that is still not fully developed, presents serious endeavour. Currently, each turbine needs to be installed manually. Deploying and testing requires vessels and divers, which only adds to the cost of energy source. If we would by any chance compare wind energy with ocean turbine, then wind energy has a graduate degree, while “wave energy is still in the first grade” say Dr. Luis Vega manager of the Hawaii National Marine Renewable Energy Center.
So, in 10 years’ time when you are putting coffee on the stove, remember, power that powers it, may come from the ocean!