Tidal Power.

[Guest123]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16327617


Could this work, is it really feasible???

 

[telectrix]

there's a hell of a lot of energy in the tides. converting it to drive a turbine is feasible and not reliant on sunshine. it's really an extension to the water wheel principal.

 

[SolarCity]

It is also a major boost for big business over small business which should mean that the government will be all over it.

 

[Guest123]

which should mean that the government will be all over it.

Is this a good thing or not though......

 

[johnboy6083]

will it be safe for wildlife? how fast will those blades turn, or will they be geared down to spin a turbine at rapid speeds?
It does sound feasible, but how much will this cost?
How maintainable is it?
How much will it impactupon the scenery of the area?
Will fishermen be able to fish around them?

 

[telectrix]

bloody expensive method for making sushi.

 

[Guest123]

There is no mention of cost in the article at all which I find a little deceptive at best.

1 unit could power 500 homes, which is quite impressive but at what cost in monetary terms aswell as environmental impact etc.

 

[Guest123]

Better article here.....

Tidal energy turbine set up in the sea - Home News - UK - The Independent



Found a pic.....would need a good IP rating.....:rolleyes2:

 

[Guest123]

Found a vid now too.


Hammerfest Strøm Tidal Turbine Technology - YouTube

 

[sambotc]

Interesting, just a shame that the big 6 are still involved, and I would be surprised if energy bills don't go up as a result of this being rolled out on a bigger scale. Then again it's easier to blame it on Mr Smith with 16 panels on his roof who generates his own...

The sooner someone comes up with a viable solution to storing electricity/energy (without getting knocked off before it comes to market) the better off we will all be.

Wouldn't want to get a fishing line snagged around that in a 10ft dinghy though, probably sink the boat on the down stroke!

 

[mark1979]

this is something similar

SeaGen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Guest123]

this is something similar

SeaGen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That looks to be a lot easier to maintain than the HS1000 array that may be going ahead.

The fact that you can lift the motor out of the sea quite easily it would seem, can only be a good thing.

Not sure how they would maintain one of the HS1000 units as the video shows the entire unit being craned into position and firmly secured to the sea bed.

 

[deeyup]

That one in northern Ireland works very well.
Apparently the seals avoid it and none have been injured by it.

Theres talk of a barrage across the river Severn/Bristol channel which if made could make up to enough power to service the whole population of Wales depending on where they put it. we have up to 15 metre tides here.
I think they've gone cold on the idea now though.

 

[netblindpaul]

My old boss is now earning a living in this arena, and he was on enough when he employed me, so there must be a good crust in it from somewhere!!!

 

[mark1979]

that one in strangford was the first of its kind in the world. apparently! harland and wolff built the first prototype generator for the orkneys project in 09 i think.

 

[mark1979]

Harland and Wolff - Prototype tidal turbine under construction in Belfast

maybe it was 2010.

 

[moggy1968]

500 homes, thats pants!! The cost/benefit must be somewhat disproportionate!

 

[deeyup]

Spoke to a friend who works for environment agency yesterday who said the bristol channel project is back on.

 

[Guest123]

500 homes, thats pants!! The cost/benefit must be somewhat disproportionate!

One turbine can power 500 homes.

The whole turbine array can power 5000.

 

[moggy1968]

so one small town then, how much do they cost?

 

[Guest123]

so one small town then, how much do they cost?

The whole array will cost around £40Million!!!

Works out to £8000 per home.

 

[moggy1968]

hmmn, so actually reasonable cost effective compared to PV. what about the ongoing maintaininace costs, bearing in mind small scale PV is basically maintainance free?

 

[netblindpaul]

moggy,
Maint costs are currently HUGE!
My old boss tried to persuade me to set up doing maint as there is so much to be done!

 

[Guest123]

The video shows the 'head' of the turbines being able to be lifted off onto a type of maintenance platform.

Cost & longevity wise, I have no idea, must be in the region of 20 years plus though surely.

 

[netblindpaul]

Lenny,
No where near that at the moment so I am told!