America's first ever commercial scale tidal generator launching in Maine

[bluedigger]

Last edited Wed Jul 25, 2012, 12:47 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Associated Press

EASTPORT — What's being called the country's first commercial-scale tidal power generator is being launched in eastern Maine.

Ocean Renewable Power Co. 's first fully assembled turbine generator unit, 100 feet long, about 15 feet high and rigged with long, curved turbine foils, is to become operational in August and connected to the grid to deliver electricity to Maine consumers starting in October.

Ocean Renewable President Chris Sauer says Tuesday's dedication marks the end of eight years of hard work and fundraising. Sauer has called Eastport the "Kitty Hawk" of tidal energy.

U. S. Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, who helped secure funding for the project, calls it "a monumental achievement."

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud of Maine says the project will help increase the nation's energy independence.

Read more: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2012/07/24/tidal-generator-being-launched-maine/1227589?utm_source=Sun+Journal+List&utm_campaign=de641db84c-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

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A little good news for a change.

There is nothing more at the link.

A much better source with pictures here: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/07/24/news/down-east/nations-first-underwater-tidal-turbine-dedicated-in-eastport/

(Thank you, petronius!)

[MADem]

1. From sea to shining sea!! Let's do it! nt

[RC]

2. What is in place to prevent the fishes from becoming chum? Anything?

Or does nobody care?

[democrat_patriot]

3. It's 100 feet long. How many fish can it 'chum'. We're better off with an oil spill I suppose.

My concern is any noise it gives off, hurting dolphins / whales.

[AtheistCrusader]

9. It doesn't spin around like a salad shooter.

Fish should have little to no problem with it.

[Xithras]

14. It sort of does, and it will absolutely kill larger sea life.

There's no point in sugarcoating it. There are videos of their system up on Youtube (skip to the 55 second mark):

These videos show how fast this things spins. Small fish aren't going to have any problem, but any sea life of any real size that wanders into this thing is going to get chummed. Nothing longer than a foot could survive it.

It's really the same issue as windmills. They unquestionably cause severe harm to the environment and wildlife in their immediate vicinity, but the real question is whether their benefits outweigh that cost and harm. EVERY form of power generation is going to do harm, so the question shouldn't be whether it harms wildlife, but whether it harms wildlife LESS than the other forms of power generation we're already using.

[AtheistCrusader]

19. Smaller fish will pass right through it, no problem.

Larger fish/sea lions and such should have no problem avoiding it.

Any studies that show it is a problem for sea life in the field?

[xtraxritical]

20. Aquatic creatures have survival instincts too and will surly avoid this thing.

It does not spin that fast either. Why not surround it with something?

[yesphan]

18. Doh !

[dmallind]

17. Simple cheap solution - stick a net in front of it.

[bluedigger]

22. Or better yet, a bunch of lobster pots.

[magical thyme]

23. since Maine is also a fishery, yes, they care

I read a few years back about the research going into this. Potential impact on fish was definitely a concern.

[pinto]

4. Bay of Fundy - Highest tides in the world:

[NYC_SKP]

5. I've been fascinated with that place since I first learned about it.

45 foot tides, or something like that.

Imagine the potential for generation.



ETA link to book where I read about it years ago: http://www.amazon.com/Waves-wind-weather-practical-navigator/dp/0679507531/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343231113&sr=1-4&keywords=wind+waves+and+weather

Also in that book, and fascinating:

Where the weather, air temps and water temps are below freezing, snow drifts can build up on the high seas.

The snow doesn't melt because of the high temps, and the salt water doesn't freeze because of the high salinity.

I would love to see big snow drifts on the high seas!

[Posteritatis]

7. I live not far from the eastern end of that, the tides are pretty bonkers. (nt)

[KamaAina]

26. Same here!

I envisioned a whole town growing up around it, with the cheap electricity used to power everything from heaters to industrial plants (Eastport is also a deep-water port!) to buses.

[NYC_SKP]

6. Lots of people think these projects are HARMFUL to sea life....

And these people are invariably ignorant about the big picture around energy production.

On April 16th, 2009, I attended a hearing in SF with Ken Salazar, Barbara Boxer, Lynn Woolsey, and others.

The question related to whether or not to STUDY development of RENEWABLES on the OCS, (Outer Continental Shelf).

The ignorance and fear of Boxer and Woolsey was very apparent, and it made me sad.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8389088&mesg_id=8389098

A lot of fear and misinformation on OUR side really impedes progress.

K/R

[DonRedwood]

8. kr

[petronius]

10. Fascinating! That's great news...

Here's a picture of the thing:



http://bangordailynews.com/2012/07/24/news/down-east/nations-first-underwater-tidal-turbine-dedicated-in-eastport/

I'd be surprised if it was able to spin fast enough to 'chop' a fish - and fish are quite adept at dealing with surge and turbulence. If anything, that bottom support structure looks like it will provide some habitat (they ought to build in nooks for lobsters! )

[bluedigger]

11. That is a much better source - thanks!

I will edit my OP to add the link for convenience.

[msongs]

12. it will be encrusted by mollusks and other sea life. wonder how long it will run in that case nt

[bluedigger]

13. I have similar concerns.

Maybe they are not permanent installations but can be raised to the surface for periodic maintenance.

[Orsino]

15. No generator is maintenance-free.

Presumably, this thing was designed to withstand a saltwater environment, but it will require regular inspection, cleaning and repair.

[bluedigger]

16. Obviously.

I think it's a pretty safe assumption that it was designed for a salt water environment. It would be much easier and safer if routine maintenance was done at the surface or on dry land, wouldn't it?

[Orsino]

25. Not the routine maintenance.

Any veteran know that preventive maintenance starts in situ, and any auto mechanic knows that much can be done before a car need to be jacked up.

A lot of other repairs can be done pluck-'n'-chuck style, in which a module is replaced with a hot swap, and the faulty unit is taken back to a depot or simply discarded/recycled.

If all maintenance had to be done on dry land, that'd be a poor design or a prototype.

[Brother Buzz]

24. Bum info

sorry

[obxhead]

21. Damn you had me excited for a minute. :(

I was ready to go pick one up for my next camping trip to the OBX.

It is great news though, K&R