• : I'mnovation
    Imnovation
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
    • Energy
    • Construction
    • Water
    • dt Created with Sketch. Digital Transformation
    • st Created with Sketch. Science & Technology
    • Society
    • SUSCRÍBETE A NUESTRA RSS
      • Startups
      • esp
      • eng
  • Home
  • Energy
  • The ocean an increasingly stable source of electricity
Previous Next
  • The ocean, an increasingly stable source of electricity

    Is it possible to obtain clean electricity from the sea? Tidal turbines are already a reality for the people in Nova Scotia (Canada) and Pentland Firth (UK).

The dream of millions of people increasingly aware of a responsible use of resources offered by the planet is to be able to use clean energy, with zero CO₂ emissions. And those who live in remote areas dream about having access to energy developments.

Currently, there are two tidal turbine-based projects on the works, already providing very optimistic results in Canada and the UK. Let’s dive into them.

Taking advantage of sea motion through tidal turbines.

In late 2016, Cape Sharp Tidal society installed a 2 megawatt tidal turbine inside the test centre at the Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE), in Canada. Tidal turbines are very similar to windmills, except for their installation process onto the sea bottom and their blades being put in motion by ocean flow currents. They have a service life of 25 years, requiring 5-year maintenance cycles..

But, how are they put in motion exactly? Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun over the Earth, according to their particular alignment at a given time. It is a physical phenomenon common to every coastline all over the world. When a great amount of water rises and lowers several feet in just a few hours, it produces a current flow with a great deal of kinetic energy that can be transformed into electricity thanks to those tidal turbines. One of the great advantages is that water is 832 times denser than air, so rotors are smaller than those of wind turbines and, therefore, can be installed closer to each other in larger amounts.

 

“Wind power can be intermittent; however, ocean´s always flowing”

Click&Tweet

The Canadian turbine installed in the Bay of Fundy exploited just a fraction of the energy potential in a place where the average tide measures 14.5 metres and provides power to 500 households. A second generator, in process of installation during 2017, will complete the 4-megawatt project, which is expected to overcome the need to burn 2000 tons of coal, thus preventing 6000 tons of CO₂ emissions to be released, equivalent to withdrawing 1000 vehicles from circulation each year.
Local public servants claim that this project is providing clean energy and an economic boost to the area.

 

Clean electricity for Europe: where classic wind turbines have no reach.


The chosen site of the MeyGen project is located in Pentland Firth, Scotland, where the AR1500 generator has been installed during the initial phase. It is a horizontal axis turbine capable of providing 1.5 megawatts of power which is already working at full capacity.
The implementation of the second, 6-megawatt phase will begin in late 2017 and the whole project is expected to deliver a total power of almost 400 megawatts.
This could be the solution for thousands of people who have no access to wind power available or encounter it difficult to access to energy resources near the coastline, while providing environment with a much needed respite.


Sources: Renewable Energy, Tidal Energy Today, Global News, Globalspec.com
Image: Atlantis Resources

  • Energías renovables

Share on social media

{{CommentsCount}} Comments

Currently no one has commented on the news.
Be the first to leave a comment.

{{firstLevelComment.Name}}

{{firstLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{firstLevelComment.Text}}

Answer

{{secondLevelComment.Name}}

{{secondLevelComment.DaysAgo}} days ago

{{secondLevelComment.Text}}

Write your comment

All fields are mandatory.

Name

Email address

Comments

250 max char.

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

{{btnSendCommentText}}

Thank you for your comment

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851, Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial de la Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid, Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50, email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com, in order to address and manage your queries, requests, claims and suggestions, as well as to electronically send information regarding our products and services through the contact email address.

The consent given by users when they contact us comprises the legal grounds for processing the data.

The data shall be stored as long as the relationship is maintained and the elimination thereof is not requested, and in any case, never for more than twelve months.

In the event your request is not addressed to ACCIONA but to an entity belonging to the Acciona Group, such entity shall transmit the data to the Group company that can most efficiently address your request for information or a service. Accordingly, when these data are transferred such transfer may be international due to the fact that these companies are located in countries outside the European Union, in order to address the communication needs among the individuals that comprise the Group at the global level. (You can consult a list of Group companies at www.acciona.com/shareholders-investors/financial-information/annual-accounts/. By accepting the privacy terms, you consent to your data being transferred internationally in order for your request to be properly processed. Other data transfers are not anticipated, except where required by law.

The interested party can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data before Acciona, S.A. by addressing ACCIONA in writing at the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. In either case, the interested party must enclose or attach a copy of their National ID (DNI) or other ID. Furthermore, at any time the interested party may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim before the Supervisory Authority (the Spanish Data Protection Agency www.aepd.es).

You can find more information in our Privacy Policy on our website.

Subscribe to our newsletter

... and stay informed with the latest news on innovation.

Send me the newsletter
{{ btnSendText }}

Wrong email format

Accept the information on data protection

You must accept the information on data protection

YOU'RE JUST ONE STEP AWAY!

Please, confirm your subscription on the email we have sent you and your registration will be completed.

YOU ARE ALREADY SUBSCRIBED TO THE NEWSLETTER!

If you've missed our content, try checking your junk mailbox and add us to your address book so you can enjoy them without any problem.

Information on data protection

In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on Data Protection and with other Data Protection regulations in force, you are hereby informed that your personal data shall be processed by Acciona, S.A. (hereinafter “ACCIONA”), whose identification data are as follows: Tax ID No. (NIF): A08001851; Address: Avenida de Europa, 18, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, 28108 in Alcobendas, Madrid; Tel. No.: +34 91 663 28 50; email: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. Your data shall be processed in order to send you information, through the subscription to our Newsletter through electronic means, regarding our latest technological innovation of ACCIONA´s initiative "I’MNOVATION #Hub", which aims to bring the general public main news, advances and curiosities of the innovation technology of all the companies that make up the ACCIONA Group.

 

The consent given by the data subject by indicating that they have read and accept this data protection information comprises the lawfulness of processing. The data provide is your email address. If you fails to provide the required data, the subscription Request cannot be satisfied. We may also process your satisfaction or preferences, if you voluntarily respond to surveys. Data shall be stored until the elimination is requested.

In order to carry out our purpose, we may give access to your data to service providers (such as technology service providers) who assist us in fulfilling this purpose. Some of its service providers, may be located outside of the European Economic Area in territories that do not offer a level of data protection that is comparable to that of the European Union. In such cases, we transfer User data with appropriate safeguards and always ensuring the security of the same.

 

The data subject can exercise their rights of portability and to access, correct, eliminate, restrict and oppose the processing of their data to Acciona, S.A. by writing the Department of Data Protection located at Avenida de Europa, 18, 28108, Parque Empresarial La Moraleja, in Alcobendas, Madrid or by sending an email to the following address: protecciondedatos@acciona.com. If we consider it necessary in order to be able to identify you, we may ask you for a copy of an identity document. Furthermore, at any time the data subject may withdraw the granted consent by contacting the aforementioned address and file a claim to the Supervisory Authority (Agencia Española de Protección de Datos www.aepd.es). You can also unsubscribe from the Newsletter communication.

 

For any further information you can visit the Privacy Police on the website https://www.acciona.com/privacy-policy/.

More about Energy

  • Energy

    Kirigami-inspired solar panels

    The ancient art is inspiring the design of solar cells so they can change shape to catch the sun

  • Energy

    This is how the first neighbourhood capable of self-generating its energy requirements will work

    This village, capable of generating its own lighting and food production, will be ready to be inhabited as of 2017

  • Energy

    Solar glass, a window to the future of energy

    Renewable energy is about to become a part of our daily lives, with a host of new power-generating surfaces such as windows or canopies

Featured topics

Read the most discussed articles

  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • Solar energy
  • Innovation
  • Technology
  • Wind power
  • Electricity
  • Solar glass
  • aeronautics
  • Energías renovables
  • Roads
  • Investigation

Categories

  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Water
  • Digital Transformation
  • Science & Technology
  • Society

Featured topics

  • Innovation
  • Renewable energies
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Water
  • Robots

Innovation is a change that introduces new features. The concept is generally used in the sense of inventions, new ideas, devices, methods and processes, and the application of improved solutions meeting fresh economic or societal requirements. Strictly speaking, however, ideas can only be termed “innovations” once they have imposed themselves as successful new products, services or procedures.

About us
Subscribe to our RSS
Imnovation
Acciona

An ACCIONA innovation initiative

  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Legal notice
  • Site map
  • Contact
  • ACCIONA's websites