Tidal power on Tacoma Narrows? Not yet, according to study

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1168989&more=0

Tidal power on Tacoma Narrows? Not yet, according to study

Mar 05 2008

A study on tidal power has concluded that tidal generation will not be feasible in the Tacoma Narrows waterway for at least eight to 10 years and that other renewable resources, like wind power, are more economically feasible at this time, according to Tacoma Power.

Tacoma Power commissioned the study as a follow up to an earlier tidal power study by the Electric Power Research Institute, which determined that the Tacoma Narrows waterway could be an ideal location for tidal generation. The second study, completed by Puget Sound Tidal Power LLC, provided a more in-depth look at tidal power feasibility.

The second study concurred with the EPRI study, recognizing that the Tacoma Narrows has tidal power potential, but said that the amount of energy that could be produced was less than EPRI estimated. Harnessing that power, however, requires advancements in turbine technology.

"Tidal power technology is where wind technology was decades ago," said Tacoma Power Superintendent Gary Armfield. "Right now, it wouldn't be a sound investment at this site for Tacoma Power and its customers."

...

[Hand]

1. There's a tidal power project under way in the Bay of Fundy now.

Currently, they're still doing environmental assessments, since there are a lot of unknowns around taking energy out of that ecosystem (that's what tidal power generation does). They're hoping to have pilot installations in the water by 2010.

The Fundy's probably the best place in the world for this kind of thing--the tides are HUGH--the equivalent of all the rivers in the world flow in and out of there every day! :wow: Of course, those massive tides might rip the generator turbines to shreds... lots of things to consider.

More here:

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080108/tidal_power_080108/20080108?hub=SciTech